Joel Matip, a 32-year-old defender who joined on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, is nearing the end of his time at Liverpool. He made over 200 appearances, although his injury habits limited the number of games he played, and was a long-time partner of Dutch defender Filsil van Dijk.
The former Cameroon defender, who is also known for his forward passing and dribbling ability, has a contract with Liverpool until June 2024 and is likely to leave the club at the end of the season without any moves towards signing a new deal.
The veteran defender has received interest from several clubs, as well as from the Italian side. According to Corriere della Sera, both AS Roma and Lazio have started to look at acquiring the player.
Both are focusing on reinforcing their centre-backs and have listed the former Schalke defender, who has a good track record in England and Europe. He is also good value for money for the club, as he can be acquired without a transfer fee.
After a successful career at the top level in the Bundesliga, Premier League and Champions League, will the 32-year-old centre-back choose Italy as a new challenge…?