Liverpool preparing £18m bid for Germany and Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Germany international defender Benedikt Howedes, according to DW Sports (via the Express).

The Premier League side, who defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday for their first league win of the 2017-18 campaign, have been freshly linked with a late move for the Schalke centre-half before the close of the transfer window next Thursday (August 31).

The 29-year-old, who has 44 international caps for his country, was an unused substitute during the Bundesliga side’s opening 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Howedes, who was part of the Germany squad that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, has scored 23 goals in 335 appearances in all competitions overall for Schalke since making his first-team debut back in October 2007.

Schalke’s Yevhen Konoplyanka celebrates with Benedikt Howedes (left).

The report suggests Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is still eager to strengthen his backline options before next week’s deadline, and with a deal for Southampton star Virgil van Dijk looking unlikely after The Saints reported Liverpool for illegally tapping the player up earlier this summer, the German has now set sights on his fellow countryman.

Liverpool are thought to be willing to splash out £18m for the defender’s services.