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According to Turkish site A Spor, Liverpool defender Joel Matip is a January transfer target for both Fenerbahce and Premier League side Fulham, and Jurgen Klopp should seriously consider offloading the Cameroonian in order to finance a big-money bid for Matthijs de Ligt.

What's the story?

A Spor claim that Liverpool’s former director of football Damien Comolli is keen on bringing Matip to his current club in Turkey, but he will face competition from Fulham's new boss Claudio Ranieri as he looks to tighten up the leaky Cottagers defence.

Matip has another two years to run on his contract at Anfield after his move from German side Schalke 04 in the summer of 2016.

Joel Matip for Liverpool

However, the towering 6ft 5in centre-back has dropped down to fourth place in the pecking order at Anfield this season as Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez excel in their newly formed partnership, with Dejan Lovren stepping into the side when needed.

The Reds did get Matip on a free transfer though so any fee they could receive for him in January would be a bonus, although it would surely have to be invested back into the squad.

Onwards and upwards

The perfect defensive signing to replace Matip was actually pointed out by van Dijk earlier this week. According to the Liverpool Echo, the Dutch captain claimed that his compatriot Matthijs de Ligt would already be on Liverpool's radar, and that he would offer his advice if the Reds want to sign him.

Despite being just 19 years of age, De Ligt is already the captain of Ajax after coming through the famous youth system, and he already has 11 caps for the Dutch national side.

The youngster is valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, and it would probably take a considerable amount above that to convince Ajax to sell mid-season. However, he would be an excellent investment in the future for Liverpool and could come straight into the side to rotate with and challenge Englishman Joe Gomez, taking the Reds on another level.

So, Liverpool fans, would you like to see Matip sold in January and De Ligt brought in? Have your say by voting in the poll below.

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