Liverpool chasing £18m Schalke star Benedikt Howedes as Jurgen Klopp attempts to bolster his struggling defence
LIVEPROOL are chasing Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes after pursuit for key target Virgil van Dijk runs dry.
Despite chasing the Dutch centre-back's signature all summer, Jurgen Klopp has now prioritised the signing of 29-year-old Howedes.
German outlet DW Sports has claimed that Klopp will be willing to spend £18million to land the Germany international.
Howedes has tallied 334 appearances for Schalke since his first-team debut in 2007, but he has been heavily linked with a move away from the Veltins-Arena.
The Bundesliga lost his captaincy this term to goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann, which confirms his desire to depart the club.
The defender already has friends with the Anfield camp - he knows Joel Matip well, having played with him at Schalke for seven years.
After graduating through the ranks of Schalke's academy, the defender has no intention of joining another Bundesliga club.
"I've said I won't move within [Germany] and can picture a move abroad," the 29-year-old told Funke Sport.
"As of today, that point in time hasn't come.
"I received offers from other clubs after the surprising demotion from captain...that my agent checked and answered."
Liverpool initially targeted defender Virgil van Dijk, but the Saints remain adamant that they will not be selling their treasured skipper.
The Reds transfer saga with the defender turned sour when they were forced to publicly end their pursuit with an apology after tapping up the defender.
