Saints and Bournemouth reportedly monitoring out-of-contract Liverpool defender

SAINTS are reportedly monitoring out-of-contract Liverpool defender Joel Matip, who is set to become a free agent.

Cameroon international Matip, 32, has already said his goodbyes to Anfield ahead of departing the club this summer.

Matip was one of outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp’s first signings when he arrived as a free agent following a spell at Schalke 04.

Standing six-foot four-inches tall, Matip made 201 appearances for Liverpool while winning a Premier League and Champions League medal.

However, the veteran has not played since December when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Fulham.

Joel Matip has been sidelined since December through a knee injury (Image: PA)

The Sun report that both AFC Bournemouth and Saints are keen on Matip, with the centre-back set to stay in the Premier League.

He is said to be high on Andoni Iraola's list, while Saints have been monitoring his situation in the hope of persuading him to St Mary's.

That would be dependent on Russell Martin's side beating Leeds United in this weekend's Championship play-off final against Leeds United.

In any case, Matip would likely seek big wages that only a top-flight club could afford.

Should Saints win promotion at the first time of asking this weekend, Man City's Taylor Harwood-Bellis would become a permanent signing.

The central defender's loan contract has an obligation to buy priced at £20million in the event of returning to the Premier League.