West Ham United have reportedly offered a two-year contract to Joel Matip, the 33-year-old Cameroonian defender, as they look to bolster their squad.
According to Caught Offside, the Hammers have made their move for Matip, who is also attracting interest from Fulham, Bournemouth, and Leicester City.
Matip’s career highlights his status as a reliable performer. Born in Bochum, Germany, he began his football journey at FC Schalke 04, where he spent over 15 years developing his game.
Matip’s consistent performances earned him a Bosman move to Liverpool in July 2016. During his time at Anfield, Matip became a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s successful sides, making over 200 appearances and contributing 11 goals and six assists.
His defensive solidity and occasional offensive contributions were instrumental in Liverpool’s trophy-winning campaigns.
Following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Matip’s contract with Liverpool ended, and he is now a free agent. Despite several Premier League clubs showing interest, Matip has yet to secure his next move.
West Ham’s interest is particularly notable, given their recent need to strengthen their defence. The Hammers have recently allowed Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma to leave on loan, making Matip a suitable candidate to fill the gap.
West Ham’s offer of a two-year deal reflects their eagerness to bring in a seasoned defender to their ranks.
Fulham, meanwhile, have already bolstered their defence this summer with the acquisitions of Jorge Cuenca and Joachim Andersen.
Despite these additions, the West London club might view Matip as an attractive option, particularly as Marco Silva has four centre-backs in his current squad. The potential signing could be seen as a strategic move to enhance their defensive options further.
Bournemouth and Leicester City are also in the race for Matip’s signature, keen on bringing the experienced defender back to the Premier League.
However, West Ham’s existing offer puts them in a strong position. With a contract already on the table, Matip’s next decision will likely weigh the attractiveness of West Ham’s proposal against the offers from Fulham, Bournemouth, and Leicester City.
As Matip considers his future, the next few weeks could be crucial in determining his next destination, with West Ham currently in the lead for securing his services.