Liverpool are on the verge of wrapping up a deal for Mainz keeper Loris Karius, reports respected Merseyside reporter Paul Joyce.
Liverpool set to sign Loris Karius from Mainz next week. £4.7m get out clause
— paul joyce (@pjoyceexpress) May 20, 2016
Joyce states that we’ve met the 22-year-old’s release clause and that the transfer is on the verge of being finalised.
Karius has excelled in the Bundesliga this term and has made almost 100 top flight appearances already.
Due to Simon Mignolet’s lengthy Liverpool contract though, Karius is arriving as competition for the no.1 jersey rather than as a replacement for the Belgian.
Over the past few years, Mignolet has only had Brad Jones and then Adam Bogdan backing him up, so has had zero pressure on his starting position. The thought is that a talented stopper with room to improve such as Karius will push Mignolet to better performances and eventually usurp the 28-year-old.
Karius is brave and a wonderful shot-stopper, and we can’t wait to watch his development under Jurgen Klopp.