Everton want to sign free agent defender, agent has met club already - report

Everton have joined the race to sign Joel Matip following his Liverpool exit, according to Caught Offside.

The online source reported [5 August] that the Toffees face a battle against Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen for the centre-back, who is currently a free agent after his contract expired at Anfield.

It is understood that Matip’s agent has already met up with all three clubs, with the rivalry between the two Merseyside clubs expected to play an interesting role in the player’s decision.

Everton to sign former Liverpool defender Joel Matip?

This transfer link is certainly a surprising one to emerge at Goodison Park, given the player’s history and the Toffees’ current centre-back situation.

While the 32-year-old would add an abundance of experience to Sean Dyche’s backline, providing an extra option from the bench, it is unknown exactly what his role would be.

Matip made just nine Premier League starts for the Reds last season, having suffered a cruciate ligament injury and not playing since December 2023.

Given that he played over 200 games for Liverpool after joining from Schalke in 2016, it would be a hugely controversial move for the veteran.

In addition to this, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and new signing Jake O’Brien would put the defender down the pecking order at Goodison Park next season.

O’Brien has already hit the ground running, scoring against Preston North End in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 3 August, and Branthwaite is still unlikely to depart the club this summer.

While Michael Keane and Mason Holgate are also still options for the Toffees, both have been linked with moves away this summer due to limited game time, which could suggest why the club are interested in Matip.

Liverpool fans are likely to do a double-take when seeing his news and will be unlikely to forgive him if he does choose a move to the Blue side of Merseyside.

In other Everton news, the Toffees made a bid plus bonuses for Jackson Tchatchoua in a new decision.

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