Xabi Alonso could sign Jurgen Klopp favorite as Leverkusen transfer move lined up for Liverpool hero

Former Liverpool defender Joel Matip could move back to the Bundesliga this summer , with Bayer Leverkusen and Xabi Alonso keen to snap him up on a free transfer. The player's contract at Anfield expired at the end of June.

Sky Germany reporter Patrick Berger reports (via X/Twitter ) that Leverkusen has made contact with the 32-year-old about signing on as a free agent. He could replace Jonathan Tah and move back to Germany after eight years at Anfield, initially signing for Jurgen Klopp at the end of his contract with Schalke.

This follows a report from Africafoot earlier this month which suggested a two-year contract could be placed on the table for Matip by Leverkusen. The Bundesliga champion is seeking to kick on again having gone unbeaten in the German top-flight last year.

READ MORE: Liverpool should target three alternatives to Leny Yoro as Man Utd closes in on $67m transfer
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Alexander-Arnold worry, Rayan Ait-Nouri inquiry, Nico Williams 'bid'

Alonso wants to sign an "experienced defender" and ex- Liverpool ace Matip fits the bill perfectly, despite the Cameroonian spending most of last season on the treatment table because of an ACL injury. Former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich center-back Mats Hummels, now 35, is also under consideration.

Liverpool.com says: It is surprising that there has not been more interest in Matip since he left Liverpool. At his best, he remains one of the very best defenders in the world, which surely makes him worth the gamble for plenty of teams.

Some Premier League sides took a look earlier in the summer but nothing properly developed. A return to Germany to play for the best team in that league at the moment would be an exciting move.

As Leverkusen looks to establish itself in the Champions League again, having the experience of Matip to call upon could be very appealing. It looks like a really good match and, of course, Matip could face Liverpool next season in the UEFA competition should the two sides be drawn against one another in the new-look group stage or beyond.