Everton have shown an interest in former Liverpool defender Joel Matip. That’s according to Darren Looney of CaughtOffside. Looney reports that the Toffees are ‘among several clubs showing interest in former Liverpool defender’.
32-year old Matip, who left Anfield at the end of last season, is still without a club but has suitors in the form of Fulham, Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and apparently the Blues.
Matip was born in Germany and spent time in the youth systems of both VfL Bochum and Schalke before making the move to Liverpool and could favour a move back to the Bundesliga where he could play under Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso in search of more silverware.
The Cameroonian international won every trophy possible during his time on the red half of Merseyside, since he joined Liverpool back in 2016 as a free agent. Now once again available on a free, it would appear Matip has a lot of options as to where he plays his football in the upcoming season. Whilst loyalty in football is few and far between these days, it would be fair to suggest that Everton might not be his preferred destination.
Toffee Blues says:
1/5 – This one is the definition of ‘silly season’ when it comes to transfer rumours. Whilst a decorated player on a free might be desirable to Dyche and Thelwell, I cannot see a scenario in which Matip lines up in royal blue this season. Whilst it isn’t unheard of for a player to cross Stanley Park, Matip occupies a position that Everton have depth in now with the recent arrival of Jake O’Brien alongside last season’s preferred pairing of Branthwaite and Tarkowski. This and an inability to shift Michael Keane and Mason Holgate off the club’s wage bill should already be enough to stop this rumour in its tracks.
With the ghost of Rafa Benitez still haunting recent memories, I cannot imagine there are many (if any) Toffees out there that would welcome the arrival of a former Red. Especially when budget is limited and the squad needs more urgent attention in other positions.
About The Author
Leave a Reply