Bundesliga club line up move for ex-Liverpool star Joel Matip this summer - Reports

Former Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip is reportedly on Bayer Leverkusen's transfer radar this summer. He left the Reds after eight years at the end of last season following the end of his contract.

Currently without a club, Matip is one of Leverkusen's top targets in the event Jonathan Tah or another centre-back leaves the club, as per journalist Florian Plettenberg. He apparently has other options on the table as well.

The journalist's tweet reads:

"Joel Matip, one of the top alternatives for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in case that Jonathan Tah or another central defender will leave the club - as revealed! Very positive talks. Matip can really imagine to join Leverkusen as a free agent. No total verbal agreement but he could sign a contract at least until 2026. But: 32 y/o former Liverpool defender with more concrete options. Not only Leverkusen."

The 32-year-old was one of Jurgen Klopp's trusted players at Liverpool and made over 200 senior appearances for the club, winning every major trophy on offer. He would have undoubtedly been a more regular pick in the German's starting XI if not for his recurrent injury issues.

As for Leverkusen, they could lose Tah to Bayern Munich this summer (via GOAL). The 28-year-old Germany international was a key part of Xabi Alonso's invincible Bundesliga team last season, helping his team keep 13 clean sheets in 31 league games.

Tah's potential exit would hence leave a big hole in Leverkusen's backline — one which a player of Matip's caliber could fill. Moreover, the latter has experience playing in Germany, having spent 16 years at FC Schalke and making 256 senior appearances before moving to Anfield on a free transfer.

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Jurgen Klopp recalled Joel Matip's best moment at Liverpool during 8-year stay

Jurgen Klopp relied on Joel Matip as a key first-team player in defense for the entirety of his stay on Merseyside. The defender took no time to become a fan favorite among Reds fans and contributed to many memorable moments on the pitch over the years.

None of them, however, were as telling as the assist he made in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League final. He assisted Divock Origi's late goal against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid, which crowned the Reds as the Kings of Europe for the sixth time.

For Klopp, that was Matip's most memorable Liverpool moment, and not many Liverpool fans would disagree. After the announcement of the Cameroonian star's departure in May, Klopp said, via the club's official website:

"If I had to choose one moment from his time here it would definitely be his assist for Divock Origi at the Champions League final in Madrid. This was the touch that detonated an explosion in the LFC family. What a moment. What a player. We wish Joel and his family the very best for the future."

Matip was also a part of the Liverpool team that lost two Champions League finals — both to Real Madrid (2017-18, 2021-22).