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Liverpool and Man City plotting separate transfer raids on FC Schalke

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Joel Matip

According to The Express, Liverpool are targeting FC Schalke’s Bosman-bound defender Joel Matip, whilst The Dail Mail report that Manchester City could launch a bid for team-mate Sead Kolasinac in January.

Cameroon international Matip – who has proved himself adept as a centre-back and a defensive midfielder throughout his Miners career – is enjoying good form this season with averages of 1.6 tackles, 3.4 interceptions, 5 clearances and 3.8 successful aerial duels per match from 16 Bundesliga appearances.

But his Veltins Arena contract expires at the end of the season and a new deal is becoming increasingly unlikely. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is well acquainted with the 24-year-old from his Bundesliga days and according to The Express, has earmarked him as a potential replacement for ageing defender Kolo Toure.

Liverpool will be allowed to discuss pre-contract terms with Matip from January 1st – although recent injuries to centre-backs Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren could well force them into signing him six months early at a higher cost.

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Meanwhile, The Daily Mail report that Manchester City could bid for Schalke’s prodigious utility man Sead Kolasinac, who has featured at left-back, centre-back and central midfield for the German outfit.

The 22-year-old has not been a regular starter this season after missing the best part of a year with an ACL injury, but bagged an assist against Asteras Tripolis and a goal against Augsburg during his last two appearances.

And representative Gordon Stipic-Wipfler has surprisingly claimed the Bosnian international will be on the move in January – with Manchester City a potential next destination.

As quoted by The Mail, he said; “I think Kolasinac will leave Schalke in January but do not know where he will go yet. We must say there are also great Premier League clubs such as Manchester City who are watching.

“The player is doing very well in recent times and last week was elected man of the match in the encounter with Augsburg in the Bundesliga. He would cost about €8m [£5.8m]. But I think it is possible that he could initially move on loan with a buy-out option.”

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