Duo wait on defender transfer decision
Sunderland must wait until January to find out whether they can sign defender Joel Matip from Schalke, according to reports.
The Black Cats are favourites to sign Cameroon international Matip, who is also reportedly on Liverpool's radar.
Manager Sam Allardyce is keen to sign new recruits in January to help his side's survival chances.
But the Sunderland Echo claim the boss has been made to sweat over a priority target, with Schalke dallying on whether or not to sell the centre-back.
”Our competition is tough. We have agreed with his agents that we will make a decision in January," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said of the player.
Matip, 24, progressed through the youth ranks at Schalke and has made 22 appearances for the club this season.
The Bochum-born ace, who can also play in defensive midfield, made his Cameroon debut in 2010 and has played in the last two World Cups.
Liverpool's interest in Matip reportedly stems from their manager Jurgen Klopp, who was in charge of Borussia Dortmund until last summer.
It is claimed Klopp is an admirer of Matip and that the Reds see him as a cheap option to bolster their defensive ranks, which are suffering from injuries.
Source: Daily Express
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