Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp‘s restructuring of his squad is set to continue with the arrival of Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius.
The 22-year-old is currently on Merseyside to complete his £4.7million transfer having undergone his medical and an announcement is expected as early as Tuesday afternoon.
Karius, Klopp’s third signing after securing deals in January for Schalke centre-back Joel Matip and Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic to join this summer, will provide much-needed competition for Simon Mignolet whose position as first-choice stopper has not been in question since he arrived three years ago.
Press Association Sport understands Liverpool will push ahead with a move for Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, for whom they are prepared to offer £4million up front with some add-ons.
However, a move to reunite Mario Gotze with Klopp, having worked together at Borussia Dortmund, is off the agenda at the moment as the player has given no indication of wanting to leave Bayern Munich.
The 23-year-old split from his agent on Monday and was quoted in the German media as saying: “I look forward to the new season in Munich. I’ll do everything to be in top shape during (new coach Carlo) Ancelotti’s first training.”
Chilwell, though, is much more attainable. The 19-year-old had a spell at Huddersfield, coincidentally where one of Klopp’s best friends David Wagner is in charge, before returning to the King Power where he played just two FA Cup matches in January as he could not displace Christian Fuchs from the title-winning Foxes side.
Klopp is in need of reinforcements at left-back as Alberto Moreno‘s Jekyll and Hyde season, which concluded with a dreadful performance in last week’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, has put his long-term future in doubt and the out-of-favour Jose Enrique’s contract has expired.
The Reds boss is also likely to need further reinforcements in the back four with Martin Skrtel set to depart – Turkish club Besiktas are currently leading the race to secure a £6million deal – having become fourth-choice centre-back behind Kolo Toure.
Toure’s current deal expires next month and he has yet to be offered a new contract but – having stepped into the void left by Mamadou Sakho’s failed drugs test – the Ivorian was Liverpool’s best performer in Basel last week.
While no new contract has been forthcoming, the 35-year-old may be handed a lifeline to stay at Anfield if Sakho, currently serving a provisional 30-day UEFA suspension, is punished with a lengthy ban.
Toure’s professionalism is well-respected throughout the club, from the owners to Klopp and chief executive Ian Ayre, and he could still yet be kept on in the short-term.
Promising Spanish midfielder Sergi Canos, who impressed on loan at Brentford this season and was handed his Liverpool debut in their penultimate match of the campaign, is also destined to leave this summer.
It is understood the £4million-rated 19-year-old has told the club he wants to leave and, while there has been considerable interest from clubs in Portugal, the player is keen for a permanent move to London with Watford and QPR potential destinations.
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