West Ham set their sights on signing Liverpool star on free transfer

Recently, West Ham faced their second defeat in the Premier League as Manchester City took a 3-1 win at the London Stadium with an Erling Haaland hat trick. After the match, manager Julen Lopetegui highlighted the need for West Ham to improve defensively and suggested that the Hammers are considering signing some free transfers as well to bolster their squad depth. Previously, Lopetegui has revealed the Hammers plans of having two quality players in each position to provide more competition and depth to the squad.

Centre back is a position, where the Hammers need more reinforcements following the season long loan transfers of Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma on the final day of the summer transfer window. Therefore, West Ham have set their sights on signing a quality defender on a free transfer to provide manager Julen Lopetegui with more defensive options to implement his possession based tactical setup. Now, according to Sky Sports, the Hammers have started talks to sign former Liverpool defender Joel Matip, who left Anfield at the end of the last season. 

West Ham set their sights on signing Liverpool star on free transfer

"West Ham United are exploring the free agent market to bring in a central defender. Joel Matip and John Egan are two players they are looking at as talks are ongoing."

- Sky Sports

Matip is an experienced centre back who has made around 200 appearances in the Premier League, playing for Liverpool alongside Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander Arnold in the defence. Previously, Matip has played for Schalke and has made 258 appearances for the Bundesliga side as well. Although, Matip is 33-years-old, the former UEFA Champions League winner as a wealth of experience playing European football and the Premier League, which will be invaluable for Julen Lopetegui's side who are aiming to finish inside the top six in the Premier League and qualify for playing European football next season. 

Now, it remains to be seen whether West Ham complete the signing of Joel Matip on a free transfer this season.