Joel Matip now hoping to sign for RIVAL Premier League club

Liverpool could come up against one of Jurgen Klopp’s favourites next season as he eyes a move to a Premier League club.

The Daily Express reports that Joel Matip hopes to sign for a Premier League club this summer. The defender leaves Liverpool after eight years, having initially joined on a free transfer from Schalke 04.

And what a free transfer he was. Matip quickly cemented a role in the team and was Virgil van Dijk's partner for the 97-point Premier League season that culminated in the UEFA Champions League triumph.

Even in his 7th season, Matip was first-choice alongside Van Dijk before an awful knee injury ended his campaign prematurely. The end of his contract this summer meant he left Liverpool, having not been offered a new one.

Despite Jurgen Klopp's reported advice to offer him one, we should add.

It certainly shouldn't be a surprise that Klopp would suggest that, either. The German is a massive fan on Matip, having said the following on his exit from Liverpool:

“A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – 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," he told the club's official site.

And now it seems Matip wishes to remain in English football. The Express's report doesn't mention any possible clubs, just that the centre-back believes he can still cut it at Premier League level.

Joel Matip wants Premier League club

If Matip fully recovers from his injury, then Premier League clubs should be lining up to sign him. Even just for a couple of years, he's more than good enough to play a key role.

After all, he was starting for Liverpool in a title charge at the time of his injury. He's a proven winner, too, having lifted every major trophy at Anfield.

We'd be shocked if he didn't get his wish.