Schalke defender Matip to join Liverpool

The Echo reports that the Cameroonian has turned down a new deal with the Bundesliga club to join us when his contract expires.

It looks like Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool rebuild will begin at the back as the club reportedly zero in on their first summer signing.

And Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has moved quickly in an attempt to complete his transfer, opening pre-contract talks that are set to be finalized today.

Matip has completed more passes than any of his current Schalke team mates, with 83% pass completion rate, and an average of 0.5 key pass per game, once again bettering Liverpool’s current centre-back options, which perhaps supports the assumption that he can play in midfield.

Liverpool also later confirmed that Matip would head to Anfield ahead of the 2016-17 season.

He has made 243 senior appearances for Schalke, scoring 23 goals, having graduated through their youth system and made his debut in 2010.

“I always said that I would leave Schalke ofor only one reason: To go somewhere new”, Matip said.

“Therefore, a change within the Bundesliga never came into consideration for me”.

“Although my decision was not easy, I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step”.

He added: “Schalke will remain a big family for me”. I was proud to play for this club. “It was soon clear that factors we could not influence would be decisive in Joel’s decision”.

“I will do everything in the months to come to get the maximum out of this season”.

Matip will join up with fellow new signing Marco Grujic who returned to Belgrade on loan until the end of the season.