Schalke’s £18m defender Benedikt Howedes is linked with Liverpool as interest in Southampton star Virgil van Dijk appears to wane.
Schalke’s defender Benedikt Howedes vies for the ball during the UEFA Europa League football match against Ajax.
Liverpool are considering an £18m offer to try and sign Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes, according to the Express, hinting that their interest in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk may finally be over.
Van Dijk has been on the Reds’ wishlist all summer, but they pulled back from a potential deal for the Dutchman after the Saints reported them to the Premier League for alleged tapping up.
Virgil van Dijk of Southampton celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.
The 26-year-old has since been training alone after handing in a transfer request at St Mary’s and has not played for the Hampshire club this season, with speculation that he would move to Anfield still ongoing.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp has now turned his attention back to the Bundesliga and Howedes, who has been linked with an exit from the Veltins-Arena after a decade in their first team.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The 29-year-old has admitted that he does not want to join another club in the German top tier, but is open to a move abroad and perhaps a possible reunion with Joel Matip on Merseyside.
Matip was signed from Schalke last summer and having played alongside Howedes in defence for seven years, Klopp may look to match the pair up again at the back for Liverpool.
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