West Ham United could still sign Joel Matip this summer it seems.
West Ham have been linked with a move to sign Joel Matip over the past few days, but it was then claimed that we’d moved on from the former Liverpool defender.
It was originally claimed that the Hammers were focusing in on a move to sign Mats Hummels, after his switch to initially Roma collapsed.
However, West Ham missed out on the 35-year-old German after he ended up signing for Roma yesterday, as confirmed via AS Roma’s official website.
And as a result, free agent centre-back John Egan is now ‘being looked at’ by the Hammers, although a final decision has not yet been made.
Everything seems to have changed now though.
Joel Matip back on West Ham radar
The 33-year-old centre-back is now a free agent, having been released by Liverpool.
With Julen Lopetegui on the hunt for a new centre-back, it’s no surprise that Matip has been linked with a move to the London Stadium.
The 6ft 5in defender is still capable of performing at the very highest level of the game.
And according to Caught Offside, West Ham have actually offered the 27-capped Cameroon international a two-year contract.
That’s quite the U-turn after it was suggested that the Hammers owners had moved on from their interest in bringing the former Schalke man to the London Stadium.
There is one very big concern indeed about Matip though.
He’s had horrendous injury problems in recent years, and he missed the entire second-half of last season after rupturing his ACL.
Whilst he may be an exceptional defender on his day, offering him a two-year deal would be quite the punt, given his recent injury problems.
West Ham signing Joel Matip would actually be a big statement, and a fairly exciting transfer.
However, it wouldn’t be one made without risk.
Personally, I think John Egan will be the centre-back free agent we sign. Only time will tell as to whether that ends up being correct or not though.
