Newcastle United ready to table contract offer to former Liverpool star

Newcastle United have opened talks with Loris Karius in the hope of keeping the former Liverpool goalkeeper on Tyneside.

The German, who joined the Magpies as a free agent in September last year, has made just one appearance this season - and that was the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

Karius has rarely featured in United’s matchday squad and is allowed time to travel back to Italy to be with his pregnant girlfriend Diletta Leotta, who is a high-profile TV presenter with DAZN.

The expectation was Karius would be let go at the end of his contract this month but according to The Athletic, “ tentative conversations” have taken place over extending his deal.

Speaking previously about Karius’ impact, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “I think he’s been a very calming influence. He’s a goalkeeper with a lot of experience. He’s trained well and is a very good character and very popular in the changing room - the lads have really taken to him.

“He hadn’t trained a lot when he entered the club. We were in a difficult situation after the injury to Karl (Darlow) and as I say, he was a calming influence. He brought stability behind the scenes.

“Steadily, with the amount of goalkeeping he’s done now, he’s improving all the time.”

As much as Howe would like to keep the 29-year-old, he is attracting interest from Italy, where his partner is based.

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And the Karius’ other half spoke recently to the Italian media about her partner’s future, with her ‘selfish’ hope revolving around a more permanent residence in her homeland.

“Would I like (Karius to be) closer? Selfishly yes,” Leotta told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But, at the same time, I wish him the best for his career.

“I don’t deny that it would be nice to see him play near me. Perhaps around Milan, or in Lombardy or in Liguria. In short, we can move throughout Northern Italy, but also to the centre or the south. It would be much more comfortable than in Newcastle.”

No.1 Nick Pope is the only goalkeeper guaranteed to still be at St James’ Park next season. Martin Dubravka admitted he was unsure on his future, while Mark Gillespie is out of contract. Karl Darlow spent the second half of the season on loan at Hull City and is likely to push for another exit.