West Ham considering move for ex-Liverpool ace Joel Matip

West Ham United are interested in signing former Liverpool defender Joel Matip, according to the Sunday Mirror (page 68).

With the summer transfer window closed, the Hammers have turned their attention to the free-agent market for reinforcements.

West Ham were one of the most active clubs in the transfer window, bolstering their squad with nine players, but they’ve struggled to find their feet under Julen Lopetegui.

Despite signing Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman, Lopetegui wants to strengthen his centre-back options further, and Matip has emerged as a potential target.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season when his contract expired.

Matip was signed by Jurgen Klopp in 2016 as a free agent and made over 200 appearances for the Reds, contributing 11 goals and six assists.

He won seven trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League and the Champions League.

The Cameroon international is reportedly keen to start a new chapter in his career after a trophy-laden eight-year spell at Anfield.

West Ham are interested, but they’ll face serious competition from other potential suitors amid reports that Fulham and Bournemouth are also looking to pounce on his status as a free agent.

West Ham need to bounce back from a disappointing start

With the amount of money they spent and the quality of players that joined the club during the transfer window, you’d expect West Ham to be competing at the top end of the Premier League table.

However, their start to the season hasn’t gone according to script, with Lopetegui’s side picking up just four points from four games.

Danny Ings’ last-minute strike snatched a point for the Hammers against Fulham on Saturday, but the fixtures don’t get any easier with Chelsea visiting the London Stadium next weekend.

They must start climbing up the table, or Lopetegui could be fighting to save his job.