Newcastle are reportedly set to complete the surprise signing of free agent Loris Karius after Karl Darlow sustained an ankle injury – and Joelinton might have inadvertently played a part in the signing of the German.
Karius, 29, is a free agent after his contract at Liverpool expired in the summer. He last turned out at professional level in February 2021 for German Bundesliga side Union Berlin – during a loan spell with the club.
The one-time Germany Under-21 international played 49 times for Liverpool – keeping 23 clean sheets. But the Champions League final in 2018 was his undoing, as he made two woeful mistakes, Real Madrid winning 3-1.
He then went on loan to Besiktas for two years, clocking up 67 appearances. But the Turkish side did not sign him permanently. Having stayed at Anfield for the 21-22 season, Karius is now a free agent and Newcastle are closing in.
Keith Downie broke the news on Thursday. The Sky Sports reporter confirmed that due to a training injury suffered by Darlow, Karius is set to sign a short-term deal on Tyneside to provide cover for Nick Pope. But did Joelinton help?
Joelinton might have played played part in Newcastle signing Karius
The reason why the newly-transformed midfielder might have helped Newcastle get a deal over the line for Karius – is due to his representatives. ROGON are a German-based company with mostly Bundesliga players on their list.
Roberto Firmino, Joelinton and Julian Draxler are their biggest names, according to TransferMarkt. But Karius is also represented by ROGON. Given Newcastle only signed Joelinton in 2019, the relationship is still pretty fresh.
So, perhaps having that relationship with Joelinton’s representatives, it allowed Newcastle to quickly act following the injury sustained by Darlow. Looking through those that are without a club, Karius makes sense.
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