Loris Karius’ Newcastle United contract is due to expire this summer with the goalkeeper’s Italian girlfriend hoping to see him swap the Premier League for Serie A.
In the end, despite all the obvious hand-wringing ahead of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final clash with Manchester United, it all turned out, well, sort of OK. From a personal perspective, at least.
Karius’ first competitive game for an English side since that Champions League final was certainly free from the sort of mistakes that saw his Liverpool career end in a flood of tears. In fact, if it wasn’t for some fine Karius saves, a 2-0 defeat could have been even more lopsided at Wembley as Newcastle missed out on the chance to end their 54-year trophy draught.
Loris Karius’ Newcastle contract is expiring
Thanks to Nick Pope’s consistency and enduring availability, however, that Wembley outing looks likely to be Loris Karius’ one and only appearance under Eddie Howe.
The German’s short-term deal expires this summer. Reports in Italy have suggested that Inter and rivals AC Milan – Champions League semi-finalists the both of them – are weighing up a deal that would see the much-travelled 29-year-old move to San Siro, albeit as a second or third choice.
A move to Milan mould appeal to the former Union Berlin, Besiktas and Mainz ‘keeper too. Especially with his girlfriend, DAZN presenter Diletta Leotta, based back home in Italy.
“Would I like (Karius to be) closer? Selfishly yes,” Leotta tells 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.”
Karius joined Newcastle on a short-term deal last summer, and extended it through to the end of the campaign after Karl Darlow departed on loan to Hull City.
Newcastle may have already signed Karius’ replacement too. Highly-rated teenager Reece Byrne is already confirmed to be arriving from Irish football.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
