Liverpool 'in contact' to sign perfect Joel Matip replacement as agent confirms transfer talks

Liverpool have made contact over the signing of a long-term replacement for centre-back Joel Matip, according to the player's agent.

Matip is currently out for the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Fulham in December.

The 32-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season, and there is currently no indication that he will be offered a new deal.

As a result, the Cameroonian defender may have played his last game for Liverpool, with Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez all filling in at right centre-back in his absence.

Now, they have made contact over the signing of Feyenoord defender David Hancko - according to the player's agent Branislav Jasurek.

However, he also admitted that Paris Saint-Germain have also made initial contact.

He told Czech outlet TN.cz (via Football365): "As an agency, we are in contact not only with these two clubs (Liverpool and PSG), but also with others who are looking into David's situation.

"I estimate that it is 80-90 per cent likely that David will stay in Rotterdam [this month] ... the people at Feyenoord know that David Hancko will be sold, but it is better in the summer than now.

"It will have to be one of the big clubs. We believe that he will choose the best option for a sporting perspective, similar to his [2022] transfer from Sparta Prague to Feyenoord.

"He chose that step over other, more financially attractive offers. If he does transfer, that would be great because it means he will go to a bigger club. But even if he doesn't transfer, I think David will be happy to stay in Rotterdam."

The 26-year-old is left-footed and has reportedly modelled part of his game on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

And while Van Dijk has played on the left side of a two-man central defence during his time at Anfield, he is naturally right-footed, potentially opening the door for the pair to play together if Hancko signs for Liverpool.

The Slovakia defender has been one of the best defenders in the Eredivisie this season, featuring in all 17 of Feyenoord's Eredivisie matches.

The second-placed side have conceded just 16 goals this term, meaning they have the joint-second best defence in the division behind leaders PSV, who have conceded just seven in winning all 17 of their games so far this season.