Greuther Furth boss Stefan Leitl has refused to be drawn on the prospect of his Bundesliga side targeting a transfer for outcast Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, via quotes by Kicker.
The Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer outfit are likely to be in the market for a new shot-stopper next month. First-choice Marius Funk has sustained a knee injury that could keep the 25-year-old sidelined for the rest of the season.
Funk sustained the issue in training last week when his foot planted in the ground and he twisted his knee. Leitl expects the issue will keep him out for at least six-months, in a huge blow for Kleeblatter. They are rooted to the bottom of the standings with just four-points.
Greuther Furth Director of Sport Rachid Azzouzi has noted Kleeblatter ‘have to think’ about signing a new goalkeeper. But any arrival must join within their financial remit, while the Sportpark hierarchy would also prefer a German shot-stopper.
Leitl addresses Greuther plotting transfer for Liverpool outcast Karius
Along with needing a replacement for Funk, Azzouzi could sanction a medium-to-long-term addition. Funk and 32-year-old backup Sascha Burchert are both out of contract in 2022.
So, Greuther Furth are thought to be considering a January transfer for Karius as his future is away from Liverpool. The 28-year-old is also out of contract at the end of the season, but Jurgen Klopp would tear up his deal in January, per the Mirror in October.
Leitl, however, refuses to comment on the prospect of Greuther Furth agreeing terms for a January transfer to sign Karius, who last played for Liverpool since May 2018.
“He’s undoubtedly a very, very good goalkeeper,” Leitl said. “But I’m not involved in names or speculations.”
Karius to find Anfield exit route heads to the Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer?
Karius last featured for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid before loan transfers to Besiktas and Union Berlin. He has spent the first half of the current season on the fringes at Anfield, with Klopp yet to name him in a single matchday squad.
The £25k-a-week shot-stopper also endured a miserable time in the Bundesliga last season while in Berlin. He only made five appearances across all competitions, starting just four, as the backup to Andreas Luthe under Urs Fischer.
Funk’s injury should see that Leitl offers Karius the first-choice role at Greuther Furth with a January transfer from Liverpool. But with the Kleeblatter already 13-points from automatic Bundesliga safety, Karius may bide his time in the hope of securing a better summer switch.
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