Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Joel Matip and Alvaro Morata Rumours

Liverpool have their eyes on a deal to sign Schalke centre-back Joel Matip, but the Germans are hoping he'll remain at the Veltins-Arena. Meanwhile, the Reds are reportedly one of three clubs jostling to sign Juventus striker Alvaro Morata.

Matip has been linked with a summer move to Anfield after his contract expires in June, and ex-Schalke team-mate Christoph Metzelder was quoted by the Telegraph (h/t the Independent's Sam Hall), urging his former defensive partner to make the move: 

"Joel is free. If the interest is from England and he wants to have an experience abroad, then Liverpool is a super destination for him. Jurgen [Klopp] knows he can work very well with him. For Joel it would be an easier entry into a new country and a new environment."

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It seems increasingly unlikely Liverpool will be making a move for the Cameroon international during the waning hours of the January transfer window, but Matip would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement.

But Schalke general manager Horst Heldt is still hopeful of extending the centre-back's deal past its expiration date. Hall provided quotes from the club figurehead, who proclaimed: "We have agreed to an appointment [with the player’s advisor] which will take place soon. I remain in good spirits and I hope that we can convince Joel to stay at Schalke."

Ex-Germany international Metzelder clearly feels it would make for an easy transition if Matip were to swap Gelsenkirchen for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, and it could be an extremely valuable deal for the Reds.

Schalke chief executive Clemens Tonnies also spoke to the media denying Matip had agreed a deal already, according to BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji:

Matip can play in a defensive midfield role, as well as centre-back, not too dissimilar to Liverpool incumbent Emre Can, but any plans to sign the versatile asset may be shelved for the time being.

Hall also cited Italian outlet Calciomercato, which reported the Merseysiders are hot on the tail of Juve's Morata. But Premier League rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested, according to the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan, who suggested the emergence of Paulo Dybala this season has placed Morata's spot in Massimiliano Allegri's squad in some doubt, with the Spaniard netting five times in 16 starts.

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Morata's record made for much worse reading prior to the brace he netted against Chievo on Sunday, and WhoScored.com detailed how short he's been on goals this term:

Injuries to Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings have limited the striker options at Anfield this season, while the struggling form of £32.5 million signing Christian Benteke has seen Roberto Firmino promoted to a more attacking role.

Real Madrid's buy-back clause on Morata means a deal would be complicated for Liverpool, but the English side may be free to sign the 23-year-old should Los Merengues pass on the opportunity.