Schalke deny Matip set for January exit to Liverpool

goal.com

The Bundesliga club have denied reports the Cameroon international, whose contract runs out in June, is on the verge of leaving for Jurgen Klopp's side this month

Schalke chairman Clemens Tonnies has dismissed rumours Joel Matip is set to leave the Bundesliga outfit for Liverpool in the January transfer window.

As reported by Goal on Wednesday, the Reds have not yet concluded a pre-agreement with Matip - whose contract expires in June - but are confident he will join them in the summer.

Liverpool had initially attempted to prise the 24-year-old centre-back away from Veltins-Arena in January yet Tonnies has laughed off suggestions the player will leave midway through the season.

"Matip to Liverpool this month? That's a hoax," the Schalke supremo told Sport1.

The defender is a product of the Schalke youth academy and has developed into an important first-team member in Gelsenkirchen since making his official debut in November 2009.