Liverpool to fund Gvardiol pursuit with Matip sale

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 26 Mar 2023 12:56 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool have joined the race to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, and plan to raise some funds with the sale of fellow centre-back Joel Matip.

Gvardiol has become one of the most in-demand young players in world football after starring for Croatia on their run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar in December.

Previously linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea, Gvardiol now has another potential suitor in the shape of Liverpool, who are determined to bolster their defence after an abject season under Jurgen Klopp.

READ: Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City in transfer battle for Gvardiol

Gvardiol is valued at €70 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, but he has a release clause of €110m which kicks in in the summer of 2024, and his potential suitors are scrambling to pay something closer to the former number.

With Liverpool also in pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's nascent England international Jude Bellingham, it could be an expensive summer at Anfield, but they plan to raise some funds with Matip's sale.

'Last chance to secure significant sum'

"A bid of between £10-15 million could be enough to convince Liverpool to cash in on Matip, who has a history of niggling injuries," report Football Insider.

"The former Cameroon international is out of contract in the summer of 2024 and the next window represents the last chance to secure a significant fee for him."

READ: 'We need quality!' Van Dijk demands Liverpool signings

Matip has made 184 appearances since arriving on a free from Schalke in 2016, winning a Premier League and Champions League along the way, but he might have had many more had injuries not held up his progress.

Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez provide further cover at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk seen as indispensable, while Gvardiol would be a world-class addition to the squad.

A left-footer who can also play left-back, a pairing with Van Dijk might be tricky, however. Van Dijk, despite being right-footed, prefers playing on the left-hand-side of central defence.