Joël Matip discovers three transfer options as Liverpool 'holds talks' with $70m replacement

Liverpool fans may well have seen the last of Joël Matip in a red shirt. The 32-year-old has not featured since December after he suffered a serious ACL injury in the win over Fulham at Anfield.

Matip has taken significant steps in his rehabilitation in recent weeks with Jürgen Klopp confirming he was back running at Liverpool's AXA Training Centre. But the season is likely to finish too early for the defender to return to action.

Like midfielder Thiago Alcântara, Matip is out of contract at the end of the current campaign. He will be 33 at the start of next season and in Jarell Quansah, Liverpool already has the ideal replacement while at least one defensive addition is expected in the transfer window.

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Reports in Italy suggest that Matip will not be short of offers if he does end his Anfield stay this summer. According to Corriere Della Sera, both Roma and Lazio are keen on the Cameroonian, who is open to a move to Serie A.

It is claimed that Matip is willing to take a cut on his Liverpool wages to earn a new deal elsewhere, with talks expected with the two clubs in the coming weeks. The Reds ace is also said to be on Fenerbahce's radar.

A recent report from Sabah stated that Matip had been recommended to the Turkish giants as a potential replacement for Leonardo Bonucci. Fenerbahce is keen to make checks on his fitness before offering a contract.

Liverpool has been linked with a host of potential replacements for Matip. Sporting CP duo Ousmane Diomande and Gonçalo Inácio were both on the radar (via Football Insider) amid speculation that boss Rúben Amorim could take over at Liverpool.

That move now appears off the table and it remains to be seen if interest in the pair will be reignited. Meanwhile FootMercato reports that Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho is an option. He only signed for the Bundesliga side a year ago but is now valued at around $70m (£56m/€65m).

Frankfurt is said to be already be considering replacements for the Ecuador international, with a central defender reportedly a priority for Liverpool this summer. It is claimed that talks have already taken place over a move to Anfield.

Liverpool.com says: Matip has been an incredible servant to Liverpool and deserves a special send-off at the end of the season. The Reds do need to be considering younger alternatives and a new arrival would be welcome, alongside the emerging Quansah. It is unclear how serious the interest in Pacho is but he appears a very decent option.