Sunderland and Liverpool made to sweat over defender transfer decision

SUNDERLAND must wait until January to find out whether they can sign defender Joel Matip from Schalke, according to reports.

 

Sam Allardyce (right) is reportedly keen on signing Sunderland defender Joel Matip

 

The Black Cats are favourites to sign Cameroon international Matip, who is also reportedly on Liverpool's radar.

Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to sign new recruits in January to help his side's survival chances.

But the Sunderland Echo claim the boss has been made to sweat over a priority target, with Schalke dallying on whether or not to sell the centre-back.

 

”Our competition is tough. We have agreed with his agents that we will make a decision in January," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said.

Matip, 24, progressed through the youth ranks at Schalke and has made 22 appearances for the club this season.

The Bochum-born ace, who can also play in defensive midfield, made his Cameroon debut in 2010 and has played in the last two World Cups.

 

Liverpool's interest in Matip reportedly stems from their manager Jurgen Klopp, who was in charge of Borussia Dortmund until last summer.

It is claimed Klopp is an admirer of Matip and that the Reds see him as a cheap option to bolster their defensive ranks, which are suffering from injuries.

 

Joe Gomez is out for the season, while Martin Skrtel has been told he won't return from a knee injury for six weeks.

Dejan Lovren may be fit for the Reds' clash Boxing Day clash with Leicester at Anfield but may not start for Klopp's side.

Schalke are in financial difficulty and both Premier League sides believe they can snap Matip up at a bargain price.