Roma manager Jose Mourinho ramped up his interest in Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip during the summer transfer window
The 31-year-old has gained popularity among Liverpool fans while playing under Jurgen Klopp. However, he has fallen down the pecking order this season, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk being Klopp’s preferred defensive pairing.
As a result, Matip has only made 20 appearances and scored two goals in all competitions this season.
Despite his recent goal-scoring performance against West Ham United, it is expected that the centre-back will be benched once Konate returns.
With Matip’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2024, the Merseyside giants are reportedly open to offers for the former Schalke 04 player.
According to Forza Roma, Roma are now in the race to sign Matip and Mourinho is an admirer of his playing style.
It appears that Klopp has given Matip permission to find a new club, and the Reds are willing to consider offers in the range of €15m (£13.3m) in the upcoming months.
Roma are not the only club interested in signing the Cameroonian, as Juventus and AC Milan are also monitoring his situation with the intention of a possible move in the summer.
Matip joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016 and has since scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 186 appearances across all competitions for the club.
While Liverpool’s main focus this summer will be on signing at least one new midfielder, they may also seek to strengthen their defensive options if Matip and Nat Phillips both leave.
