Joel Matip and Divock Origi linked with moves to Turkey

Joel Matip and Divock Origi have been linked with moves to Turkey, according to the Daily Star.

Matip has found opportunities at Liverpool limited this season with the emergence of Joe Gomez at centre-back, slipping to fourth in the pecking order behind Dejan Lovren.

Origi, meanwhile, has only featured once throughout the entire campaign in a brief cameo against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.

READ: Liverpool legend names the man who would complete Klopp’s squad

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Joel Matip of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on September 22, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

READ: Neymar reportedly ruled out of European tie against Liverpool

And now, it seems the two players are on the radar of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray respectively.

Turkish football expert Emre Sarigul lifted the lid on the potential transfers of the two Liverpool fringe players, and revealed why Fenerbahce believe they may have an advantage in securing Matip’s services.

“So what’s going on with Fenerbahce is their sporting director is Damien Comolli,” Sarigul said.

“So he’s trying to pull strings with his old connections at Liverpool and the Premier League clubs that he used to be at.

“They need defenders. They need a complete squad overhaul, so he has been reaching out for Matip. What happens with that we will see. But he is a target for the club.

“With regards to Origi, Galatasaray have made an approach for Origi. They want him on loan. But I think Liverpool want to keep him closer to home right now. And Galatasaray aren’t gonna pay £20m or a permanent fee because of Financial Fair Play, so they’re only looking for a loan.

“It looks pretty unlikely right now but you never know with the transfer window.”

Despite Origi’s sparse Liverpool appearances this season so far, Sarigul believes the Belgian would become a key player for the Turkish giants, should a move transpire.

“Oh definitely [he will get first-team football]. If he were to move in January, as long as he stays injury free, he would start every game until the end of the season,” he claimed.

“Because they currently have just one out-and-out striker and he’s injured half the time. So he’s been playing wingers as make shift forwards, he’s even been playing defenders upfront at times.

“And this is a team who are the reigning champions and they’re playing Champions League football.

“It’s a major, major issue for them right now. So they are desperate for a striker and whoever they get is gonna play. 100 per cent.”

The post Joel Matip and Divock Origi linked with moves to Turkey appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com