Liverpool pursue 18-year-old Malick Thiaw primed to be “new Joel Matip”

According to a report by The Mirror, Liverpool are keen on signing Schalke youngster Malick Thiaw in the summer transfer window. The 18-year-old has been dubbed the “new Joel Matip” and has put up some impressive displays in the ongoing campaign so far.

He has featured just once in the Bundesliga this term but the report claims that he is highly-rated – just like Matip was during his time at Schalke back in 2009.

Described as a powerful, tall, ball-playing defender by The Mirror, Thiaw can also play as a defensive midfielder if needed. His current contract with the German club will end next year and as a result, Liverpool scouts have been keeping an eye on his performances, reports The Mirror.

With a release clause of £7million right now, Liverpool would be wise to hurry up and make a move since Schalke are trying to get him to agree to a new deal that would bump up his fee.

The Mirror suggests that contract negotiations are at a standstill as of now, thus providing Liverpool with a solid chance of getting their man for a reasonable price.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Matip have done well for us at centre-back but as time goes on, it would be better for us to sign a promising youngster with the potential to become a key figure. Prior to the suspension of the ongoing season, we were losing a good number of games due to shoddy displays at the back.

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Dejan Lovren has failed to stake his claim for a spot in the starting XI, meaning an added body would boost competition as well our defensive power. Thus, Liverpool should consider making a move for Thiaw at the earliest.