Anfield will be a busy place this summer, if there is going to be any arrivals they will likely be precipitated by departures. The Reds have already seen Dejan Lovren leave for Zenit and Adam Lallana leave for Brighton. There have been rumours of further sales, Liverpool fans have been reacting to reports linking PSG with a move for Joel Matip.
Liverpool fans have reacted to reports that Joel Matip is wanted by PSG. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bargain signing
The Reds signed Joel Matip on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, agreeing a pre-contract with him in the January of that year.
When the defender first arrived on Merseyside he was promising in bursts but often prone to sloppy errors. Playing under Jürgen Klopp and next to Virgil van Dijk has transformed the Cameroonian.
There was a nine month period in 2018/19 when Matip was in the top five centre backs in the world such was his form.
PSG want Matip
According to Cameroonian outlet Kick 442 PSG are monitoring Joel Matip as they consider him a potential replacement for the outgoing Thiago Silva.
The French giants will need to find someone to fill the shoes of their much decorated Brazilian centre back with the elder statesman’s contract up.
Kopites have their say
One Liverpool fan was quick to point out that if anything the defender is underappreciated by the fans and he shouldn’t be allowed to leave.
No! Matip isnt appreciated enough by us.
— KG (@1Graveseh) August 2, 2020
Another fan put it in even less uncertain terms, asserting that we shouldn’t even consider it.
If we you think we should even entertain the idea of selling Joel Matip, you’re not well.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) August 2, 2020
However, others believe that for the right money it would be foolish of us to not consider a deal.
Matip is 29 next week. He’s also never had a full season for us without missing significant time with injury. If we were offered £50m+ for a third-choice centre back in that situation, we’d have to sell, however good he is.
— Don Kopleone (@donkopleone) August 2, 2020
Although there is some debate about what is the right money.
Matip is worth about £80m in the current market.
Anything less is a poor deal for #LFC.
— The Anfield Talk* (@TheAnfieldTalk) August 2, 2020
Many believe that his injury record is justification alone for moving him on.
Very good player but unfortunately a poor injury record means I’d let him go and use the cash on a replacement 🤔
— Craig (@Craig70614642) August 2, 2020
Of course, with Michael Edwards involved who knows what we could get for Joel Matip?
Good luck to PSG if they want to negotiate for Matip … Edwards be leaving in a taxi with Mbappe, Neymar and Verratti
— Andy (@AndyTheRed83) August 2, 2020