Newcastle United ‘on the verge’ of sealing shock free agent deal for ex-Liverpool man

Newcastle United are close to signing former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius after an injury to Karl Darlow in training.

The loan departure of Martin Dubravka to Manchester United has seen Nick Pope quickly establish himself as No.1 with Darlow as back-up.

However, an ankle injury to Darlow has left Eddie Howe light of senior goalkeepers with just Pope and third choice Mark Gillespie fit.

Darlow picked up the injury on Wednesday and according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, United have acted swiftly to source a replacement.

Karius, who is a free agent after leaving Liverpool in June, is already in Newcastle and is undergoing a medical ahead of signing a short-term deal.

Darlow underwent a scan, which has shown ankle ligament damage. How long the 31-year-old will be sidelined for is unconfirmed.

There is an option to recall Dubravka from his loan spell at Old Trafford in January, though that will depend on the severity of Darlow’s issue.

Karius, 29, hasn’t played a competitive game for Liverpool since the infamous 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

The German had a two-year loan at Turkish side Besiktas before spending last season loan at Union Berlin.

Karis will become United’s fifth summer signing after Matt Targett, Pope, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak.