Liverpool agree deal to sign Bundesliga star

The Mirror claim Matip will end his 16-year relationship with Schalke by joining Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer.

The Cameroon international is out-of-contract in June despite being offered a lucrative new deal to stick with the German outfit.
Jurgen Klopp is clearly looking to bolster his defensive ranks and may have completed a significant coup should Matip arrive at Anfield.

Matip is a stalwart for club and country having played every minute of Schalke's domestic campaign, netting twice along the way.

Yesterday Liverpool completed the loan signing of Steven Caulker to ease the absence of injured trio Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel.

The 24-year-old centre-back moved to St Mary's on loan from QPR over the summer, but only played eight matches in all competitions for the club.

Caulker's arrival is likely to be fleeting but Matip would represent a long-term solution to Klopp's search for a new centre-half.

The Reds have also signed Red Star Belgrade's 19-year-old Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic for £5.1m.