Liverpool: Schalke insist no final decision has been made on Joel Matip move

Schalke insist no decision has been made on the future of defender Joel Matip, despite reports suggesting his move to Liverpool could be announced this week. Matip and the Bundesliga club have been in contract talks since the end of last year but the 24-year-old is yet to sign an extension to his current deal, which expires this summer.

Liverpool held talks with the centre-half at the beginning of the year, according to Sky Sports News. German publication Der Westen ran a story in January about discussions between the player's representatives and an unnamed Premier League side, believed to have been Liverpool, while Italian publications Corriere dello Sport and Calcio Mercato have also speculated that a deal is being done for Matip to move to Anfield.

Reviersport claimed this week a final decision on Matip's future, most likely confirming his departure for Liverpool, would be revealed in the coming days. Schalke insist though that talks are ongoing and will continue throughout the month. "There is nothing to report," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt was quoted as saying by DW Sport. "There is no decision. We still have to wait a few weeks."

Schalke have been repeatedly forced to deny claims the Cameroon international has already made an agreement to sign for another club.

Liverpool signed defender Steven Caulker on loan during the January transfer window to alleviate some of their more immediate concerns at centre-half, but Matip is believed to be Jurgen Klopp's long-term choice for the heart of his defence.

Meanwhile, Schalke announced on Wednesday (10 February) that Germany international, Benedikt Howedes, another defender to have been linked with a move to Merseyside as well as Arsenal in recent transfer windows, has signed a new four-year contract at the club.