Xabi Alonso eyes Liverpool link-up for 'loved' star Jurgen Klopp branded 'wonderful'

Xabi Alonso is working on signing former Liverpool defender Joel Matip on a free transfer this summer as Bayer Leverkusen prepare to defend their first-ever Bundesliga title, according to reports. Matip could be on his way to the German champions after leaving Anfield alongside Jurgen Klopp, who made no secret of his admiration.

The 32-year-old defender joined Adrian and Thiago Alcantara as the players to depart Liverpool at the start of July after the expiry of their contracts.

And he is in line for a blockbuster return to the Bundesliga as Alonso eyes defensive reinforcements in the coming weeks.

According to Sky Germany, Leverkusen are very interested in signing Matip on a free transfer and have held early discussions.

Alonso is said to be keen on acquiring an experienced centre-back, and Matip fits the bill after his eight-year stint on Merseyside.

The Cameroon international joined Liverpool from Schalke 04 on a free transfer in 2016 and made 201 appearances in all competitions.

Matip won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield under Klopp before both departed at the end of last season.

He formed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk during his Liverpool career and was unsurprisingly a favourite of Klopp’s.

And the former Reds manager waxed lyrical about Matip after it was confirmed that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract.

“In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip,” Klopp said.

“I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him. A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being.

“We have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have, and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.

“Joel’s qualities as a player are there for all to see, and as a club, we have benefited from them since the first moment that he joined.

“I don’t think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group.”

Liverpool look set to enter the new season with Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez as Arne Slot’s centre-back options.

But Leny Yoro was reportedly a prime target before he completed a £52m transfer to Manchester United on Thursday evening, so Slot could still be eyeing reinforcements.