Liverpool miss out on Benedikt Howedes as Schalke agrees terms with Juventus defender
Germany international has been at Schalke for 16 years
BENEDIKT HOWEDES has reportedly snubbed Liverpool in favour of a move to Juventus.
Defender Howedes, 29, has been with Schalke for 16 years but is now finally set to leave the Veltins-Arena.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Howedes in now poised to join the Serie A champions.
Juve are in the market for a defender after Leonardo Bonucci left for AC Milan.
And versatile Howedes, who has made a mega 334 appearances for Schalke, is expected to plug the gap.
The 44-cap Germany international can play both left-back and centre-half.
And he is said to be primed to play in a central role for the Bianconeri.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move for a player Jurgen Klopp knows from his time bossing in the Bundesliga.
Reds have so far been frustrated in their attempts to land a commanding central defender this summer.
Klopp still wants to land Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.
But Saints are adamant they will not sell, despite the Dutchman's transfer request.
Now it seems they are set to miss out on Howedes too.
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Juve chief Beppe Marotta has confirmed his interest in Howedes.
He said: "We are looking for a defender who may play both to the centre and as wing-back.
"Howedes is an option. Actually, he's a little more than an option."