Fulham and Leicester City look to derail West Ham’s pursuit of ‘exceptional’ free transfer

Fulham and Leicester City are aiming to disrupt West Ham’s pursuit of Joel Matip, who became a free agent following his release from Liverpool.

As the transfer race intensifies during the international break, several Premier League clubs are vying for the experienced center-back.

West Ham is in need of defensive reinforcements after allowing Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd to leave on loan in the closing hours of the transfer window.

Manager Julen Lopetegui has already added Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo to his squad, but is keen to bring in another center-back as backup for the rest of the season.

Any additional signings will have to be free agents, given that the transfer window has closed.

Initially, former Borussia Dortmund star Mats Hummels was West Ham’s top target, but he has since signed with AS Roma.

As a result, the club’s focus has shifted to Joel Matip and John Egan, both former Premier League defenders with considerable experience.

Matip, in particular, is attracting significant interest after his departure from Anfield.

Matip only made 10 Premier League appearances last season due to an ACL injury, but despite this, West Ham has reportedly been in discussions with the 33-year-old defender.

However, a report from “CaughtOffside” suggests that the Hammers are facing stiff competition from other Premier League teams.

Matip is said to be unsure whether West Ham is the right destination for him, and Fulham, Leicester City, and Bournemouth are all reportedly waiting to make their moves for the player.

Fulham’s interest is particularly strong, as the Cottagers lost key defender Tosin Adarabioyo earlier in the transfer window.

Adarabioyo declined to renew his contract and eventually joined London rivals Chelsea on a free transfer.

Fulham has since bolstered their defense by signing Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca, but veteran center-back Tim Ream has also departed.

With Matip’s availability, Fulham is eager to add further depth to their defensive ranks.

Matip, who won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup during his time at Liverpool, is not short on options.

The 33-year-old is highly regarded by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who expressed his admiration for the player upon his departure from Anfield.

Klopp stated, “In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip.

I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him.”

Klopp praised Matip’s professionalism, talent, and character, adding, “We have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have, and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.

Joel’s qualities as a player are there for all to see, and as a club, we have benefited from them since the first moment he joined.”

With his availability and glowing reputation, Matip is set to be one of the most sought-after free agents in the Premier League.