Liverpool close to agreeing terms with Loris as Klopp set to land ace goalkeeper – report

Tue 17 May 2016 8:16, UK

By Germany correspondent Hans Matthias

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius, according to reports in Germany.

Talks are ongoing but the Merseyside giants are increasingly confident of securing the signing of the highly rated 22-year-old.

German publication Kicker claims Liverpool made a move for Karius after extensively watching the former Germany Under-21 international this season.

The goalkeeper, who was once in Manchester City’s youth set-up, has two years remaining on his contract with Bundesliga club Mainz.

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As revealed by Football Insider in January, Liverpool are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer after deciding to offload Adam Bogdan, who played the weekend Premier League draw at West Brom.

Klopp and his staff want stronger competition for established No1 Simon Mignolet, who has made a series of high profile errors in his three seasons at Anfield.

Danny Ward, who was recalled from a loan spell at Aberdeen in January, has impressed on his two senior outings and does have a future with Liverpool.

However, the Wales international could go out on loan again next term to gain further experience with Huddersfield Town keen to take him on a temporary deal.

Barcelona’s Marc-Andre her Stegen and Cologne’s Timo Horn were among the names Liverpool were reportedly interested in but it appears Klopp has now decided on Karius.

The Liverpool manager has close ties with Mainz having managed the club from 2001 to 2008 before taking over at Borussia Dortmund.

Should a deal be completed, Karius could become Klopp’s fourth senior signing since taking charge at Anfield last October.

Permanent deals have already been agreed for midfielder Marko Grujic and defender Joel Matip while Steven Caulker was signed on loan in January from QPR.

In other Liverpool transfer news, the Merseysiders are also working on a deal to land a Serie A-based midfielder.