Newcastle United player 'hires' former Juventus star as agent to seek summer move

Loris Karius is taking steps to move closer to his Italian girlfriend and child this summer, according to reports.

Newcastle United are not expected to be renewing the German’s contract at the end of the season. Karius was signed 18 months ago as an emergency backup following Martin Dubravka’s loan move to Manchester United.

On debut, the 30-year-old was thrown into the deep end by starting the Carabao Cup final - Newcastle’s biggest game in a generation. Nick Pope was suspended and Dubravka cup-tied but Karius held his own in the 2-0 defeat.

Injuries to the two main goalkeepers again forced Eddie Howe to throw Karius into murky waters at Arsenal last month. The former Liverpool man received credit despite being on the wrong end of a 4-1 hiding.

However, reports are now suggesting the Magpies will let the goalie leave this summer. TuttoMercatoWeb claim Karius is eyeing a move to Italy - where his model girlfriend and newborn child live.

There was speculation linking him with a move to Italy last year before he penned a one-year extension. Welcoming a new arrival has likely heightened Karius' desire to leave - as well as the prospect of first-team football.

The piece reveals he has hired Circum - an agency led by former Juventus star Claudio Marchisio and Alessandro Tocci - with aspirations to play in Serie A. Karius, who got engaged to Diletta Leotta earlier this year, remains on good terms with Newcastle and his exit is mutual between both parties.