Liverpool ‘in contact’ to sign perfect Joel Matip replacement as agent confirms transfer talks

Liverpool have made contact over the signing of a long-term replacement for centre-back Joel Matip, according to the player’s agent.

Matip is currently out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Fulham in December.

The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there is currently no indication that he will be offered a new deal.

As a result, the Cameroonian defender may have played his last game for Liverpool, with Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all filling in at right centre-back in his absence.

As per Branislav Jasurek, the agent of the player, they have now initiated communication over the acquisition of Feyenoord’s David Hancko, who plays defence.

He did concede, though, that Paris Saint-Germain has also established early contact.

“As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs (Liverpool and PSG), but also with others who are looking into David’s situation,” he said to Czech site TN.cz (via Football365).

“I estimate that it is 80-90 per cent likely that David will stay in Rotterdam [this month] … the people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold, but it is better in the summer than now.

It will have to be one of the big clubs. We believe that he will choose the best option for a sporting perspective, similar to his [2022] transfer from Sparta Prague to Feyenoord.

“He chose that step over other, more financially attractive offers. If he does transfer, that would be great because it means he will go to a bigger club. But even if he doesn’t transfer, I think David will be happy to stay in Rotterdam.”

The 26-year-old is left-footed and has reportedly modelled part of his game on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Furthermore, even though Van Dijk has spent his time at Anfield playing on the left side of a two-man central defence, his natural right foot may make it possible for the two to play together should Hancko decide to sign with Liverpool.

The Slovakian defender, who has started in all 17 of Feyenoord’s Eredivisie games this season, is among the top defenders in the league.

The second-place team has only given up 16 goals this season, which ties them for the second-best defence in the division with leaders PSV, who have given up just seven goals while winning all 17 of their games thus far.