West Ham were interested in signing Joel Matip - Credit Liverpool FC via YouTube

West Ham United negotiations 'pending' for Joel Matip transfer after Bayer Leverkusen development

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

13 Sep 2024, 6:10 am

Further West Ham negotiations for free agent Joel Matip are "pending", according to Ruhr 24.

The German outlet reported on 13 September that the Irons remain interested in the former Liverpool defender on a free transfer, with further negotiations pending over the completion of the deal.

They added that the centre-back, who left Liverpool up on the expiry of his contract on 30 June, also held "good talks" with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen but a move failed to materialise.

Matip left Anfield following the expiry of his contract on 30 June, and could still make a move to East London after a reported switch to Bayer Leverkusen failed to materialise despite "good talks" in August.

Will West Ham United finalise Joel Matip transfer?

Julen Lopetegui's rebuild at the London Stadium has been widespread since the Spaniard's appointment in May, with the Hammers' defensive line in particular coming under the microscope.

Five of the Hammers' nine first-team signings over the summer were defensive-minded, highlighted by the big-money arrivals of ex-Wolves captain Max Kilman and Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo on loan.

Julen Lopetegui wants to add another central defender to his West Ham United side [Credit: Imago]

While Todibo's permanent transfer will not go through until next summer [Sean Whetstone, 11 August], his signing has certainly turned heads amid interest from several high-flying clubs – and yet Lopetegui is still not done on this front.

The free-agency market could still unearth some gems for the Hammers in the form of Matip, and after missing out on John Egan, the Cameroonian could end up wearing Claret and Blue.

With two other new centre-backs ahead of him in the pecking order, Matip wouldn't be expected to feature every week, but his signing on a free transfer would complete Lopetegui's summer business.

In other West Ham news, Sean Whetstone has given a verdict on how active the Hammers will be in the January transfer window.

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West Ham United

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Joel Matip