Joel Matip has been offered a Premier League lifeline as West Ham explores the addition of a central defender on a free transfer. The 33-year-old former Liverpool stalwart has been without a club for nearly three months. Following the recent loan departures of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, new West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is eager to reinforce his defense.

Matip is one of the key targets under consideration, with negotiations for his potential signing set to progress this week. Additionally, the Hammers are looking at John Egan, a 31-year-old who recently left Sheffield United.

West Ham has already strengthened their defense with the acquisitions of Max Kilman for £40 million and Jean-Clair Todibo on loan, with an option to make the move permanent for £34.2 million next summer. Despite these moves, the team has struggled defensively, evident from their 3-1 loss to Manchester City and a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in their season opener.

Young West Ham academy player Kaelan Casey, 19, was on the bench during Saturday’s game, but Lopetegui hopes to bring in either Matip or Egan to bolster the squad alongside Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Todibo.

Matip, who departed Liverpool after his contract expired at the end of last season, had spent eight years with the Reds, making 201 appearances under Jurgen Klopp. He has not played since early December due to a knee injury. Egan, similarly, concluded his six-year tenure at Sheffield United with 200 appearances for the club.