Shock Liverpool exit for star Klopp can no longer trust takes shape, with unlikely Man Utd link-up wanted
A European powerhouse have held talks with a Liverpool star who lost his starting role last season, while an unlikely link-up with a player recently released by Man Utd could emerge, per a report.
The bulk of moves at Anfield this summer have and are expected to continue to come in midfield. Indeed, Leighton Clarkson (Aberdeen) Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), James Milner (Brighton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (unattached) and Arthur Melo (loan expiry) have all left.
Thiago Alcantara has received offers to move to Saudi Arabia, while the Telegraph and Sky Sports reported Liverpool are open to cashing in.
Alexis Mac Allister (£35m) and Dominik Szoboszlai (£60m) have offset the raft of exits. The latest on Liverpool’s burgeoning pursuit of Southampton’s Romeo Lavia can be found here.
However, today’s update regards centre-half, with a Turkish report claiming Besiktas are accelerating a move for Joel Matip.
The centre-half was Virgil van Dijk’s regular partner during the 2021/22 campaign that saw the Reds come within two games of the quadruple.
However, injuries and a dramatic loss of form when fit saw Ibrahima Konate usurp the 31-year-old last season.
The Van Dijk-Konate partnership will continue moving forwards, while Matip only has one year remaining on his deal.
Given his patchy injury history and advancing age, the Reds might be unwilling to offer fresh terms – just as they won’t for Thiago who is in a very similar position.
The Liverpool Echo cite the news coming from Turkey and reveal Besiktas have held talks with Matip and his camp. In fact, Besiktas’ sporting director, Ceyhun Kazanci, reportedly personally travelled to England in an effort to aid the deal’s progress.
Kazanci is also understood to have contacted Liverpool to enquire firstly into whether they’re open to doing business for Matip, and secondly, at what price.
The outcome of Kazancı’s recruitment mission isn’t revealed, though what is clear is Besiktas want two new centre-backs – not just one.
Ex-Man Utd star could join Matip at Besiktas?
A second player on their shortlist is recently released Man Utd star, Axel Tuanzebe.
The 25-year-old joined David de Gea and Phil Jones in leaving Old Trafford when their deals expired at the end of June.
Per the report, Besiktas have ‘been offered’ the services of Tuanzebe, presumably by his representatives given he’s no longer affiliated with United.
The report concluded that if manager Senol Gunes approves a move for Tuanzebe, their hierarchy will start negotiations with all haste.
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