Liverpool Transfer News: Joel Matip Latest, Bojan Krkic Rumours Dashed
Schalke general manager Andre Breitenreiter has categorically stated that reported Liverpool target Joel Matip will not be leaving the club in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to Paul Joyce of the Daily Express, the Reds are exploring the possibility of signing the centre-back on a pre-contract, with his deal at the Bundesliga club set to expire at the end of the current season. However, it seems unlikely they’ll be able to lure the player to Merseyside any sooner than next summer.
“I can rule out a winter departure," Breitenreiter told the German press (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express). "I am wishing for more competition between the players in the Ruckrunde [second half of the season]. We need that to maximise their performances.”
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Liverpool do need to strengthen the position, with question marks over a lot of their options at the back. Matip, who has impressed during his stint with the Ruhr club, fits the bill in a variety of different ways.
As Fox Soccer’s Keith Costigan noted, it seems as though the Cameroon international is well equipped to cope with the style of football which Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp demands from his players:
Liverpool definitely need to move to address an imbalanced squad in the midseason window, but it’d be a surprise if they moved mountains for Matip. If Schalke have clung on to him for so long with seemingly little hope of agreeing to a new deal, it seems apparent they are happy for the player to see out his contract and walk away.
Klopp will know Matip well from his time in Germany and view the 24-year-old as a young defender with room for improvement.
On a free transfer, the centre-back would be a coup for the Reds and a player who would add some quality to an area which has been one of longstanding concern for supporters.
Mark Hughes Rules Out Bojan Krkic Sale
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that his star centre-forward Bojan Krkic will not be going anywhere in the transfer window, despite links to Liverpool and Manchester United as of late.
“It's a couple of weeks before the bonkers season; we're very near to January so these stories start to raise their head,” said the Potters boss when asked about the rumours, per Sky Sports. “It doesn't surprise me, I don't think it's with any foundation. Bojan is an exceptional talent. Is there going to be interest? Possibly. But we wouldn't encourage it.”
As noted in the piece, English football’s two most successful clubs have been touted as potential suitors for the Spain international, whose career is going through a renaissance in the Potteries.
WhoScored.com’s Martin Laurence noted that the former Barcelona man is a player who typically gets his team off to a strong start in matches:
Although the chance to join a team as illustrious as Liverpool is likely a prospect that would appeal to Bojan, he’s a player revitalised at the Britannia Stadium. There were times during his spells with the Blaugrana, Roma and AC Milan when he seemed a little inhibited by the pressure of elite teams.
Taking a step back in his career has subsequently helped him to prosper.
Liverpool’s striking options are something of a muddle at the moment, with Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi all possessing significant flaws.
A player like Bojan would definitely add a dash of guile to their attacking play, but Stoke seem resolute in their willingness to keep hold of the forward.
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