MAT BACK
Former Liverpool Champions League winner Joel Matip, 33, handed Premier League lifeline after three months unemployed
Matip is in a transfer race with another free agent
JOEL MATIP has been handed a Premier League lifeline as West Ham are in the market to bring in a central defender as a free agent.
The former Liverpool ace has been without a club for nearly three months.
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West Ham let both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd leave on loan last week and new boss Julen Lopetegui is keen to further bolster his backline.
Matip is among the players being targeted with talks for a potential deal for the 33-year-old set to continue this week.
The Hammers are also eyeing 31-year-old John Egan as well who left Sheffield United over the summer.
Lopetegui's side have already purchased Max Kilman for £40m and Jean-Clair Todibo on loan with an option to sign him for £34.2m next summer.
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And after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend and 2-0 loss to Aston Villa on their season opener, West Ham still need to improve their defense.
West Ham academy star Kaelan Casey, 19, was on the bench during Saturday's defeat.
But Lopetegui is hoping either free agent can come in as an option for Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Todibo.
Matip has been jobless since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season after his contract expired at Anfield.
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He spent eight years and 201 appearances for the Reds under Jurgen Klopp.
The defender has not played since December 3 after suffering a knee injury.
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Egan exited Sheffield United after six years and 200 appearances at the club.
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