Liverpool move ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign £10m Cameroon centre-half

Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing Cameroon internatonal defender Joel Matip in the New Year.

The Premier League outfit, who salvaged a 2-2 draw at home to West Brom last weekend, are interested in signing the FC Schalke centre-half, who is out of contract next summer.

The 24-year-old, who has 27 international caps for his country, has scored three and assisted three goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit so far this season.

Matip; who can also adjust to a defensive midfield role, is well known by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp during his time in charge of fellow German top-flight club Borussia Dortmund.

Premier League rivals Newcastle United reportedly had a £10m bid rejected for the Cameroonian during the summer transfer window.