Liverpool are set to sign Joel Matip this summer after securing a pre-contract agreement with the Schalke defender.

The Cameroon international will move to Anfield at the end of the season having rejected the German club's offer of a new deal in favour of a switch to Merseyside.

Matip, 24, was identified as a top target by the Reds ahead of the January window, and will move to England once his contract expires in June.

He can play as a central defender as well as in midfield, and is seen by Jurgen Klopp as an ideal addition to his squad ahead of the German's first full campaign in charge.

Liverpool have seen off interest from home and abroad to sign Matip, with Newcastle and Sunderland among those linked previously.

Klopp has already secured the signing of young Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade. The 19-year-old's capture was confirmed in January, but he will spend the rest of this season on loan with the Serbian club.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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