Loris Karius has landed on Merseyside to undergo a medical ahead of completing a £4.7 million move from Mainz to Liverpool this week.

Provided there are no hitches, the German goalkeeper's switch could be confirmed by mid-week, with a medical scheduled to take place inside the next 24 hours with the Reds having already agreed personal terms with the player and met his release clause.

Karius, one of the Bundesliga's most promising young prospects between the sticks, is viewed as the ideal shotstopper to come in and challenge current first-choice Simon Mignolet for the gloves.

The 22-year-old becomes the Reds' third permanent arrival under Jürgen Klopp, with Joël Matip and Marko Grujić also joining the squad this summer after completing transfers from Schalke and Red Star Belgrade back in January.

Karius viewed as Klopp's ideal long-term option

Having spent two years with Manchester City in his teenage years, Karius has had an excellent few years at Klopp's former club Mainz. In 2015-16, he was an ever-present as he kept nine clean sheets, saved two penalties and was voted the joint-third best 'keeper in the Bundesliga in an opinion poll on bundesliga.com.

Although unlikely to come in and immediately become the Reds' No.1, Karius - who helped Mainz to respectable sixth-placed finish this term - will at least bridge the gap in quality between Mignolet and the club's current back-up options.

Karius is viewed as one of the Bundesliga's best young goalkeepers. (Picture: Getty Images)
Karius is viewed as one of the Bundesliga's best young goalkeepers. (Picture: Getty Images)

With goalkeepers having been a problematic position for a number of seasons, largely due to Mignolet's inconsistencies and lack of improvement in key areas, Karius is seen as an excellent long-term investment at such a small fee.

The Germany U21 international could however miss the first three weeks of the Barclays Premier League next season with the player likely to join up with Germany's squad for the Olympics in Brazil.

Karius' arrival could make way for Danny Ward, who made a handful of senior appearances towards the end of the campaign, to go out on loan again after a successful spell at Aberdeen in the first-half of last season.

Reds eyeing several signings as Klopp looks to shape his side at the club

Otherwise, Klopp is keen on sealing a deal for Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell, with Liverpool set to enter negotiations with the league champions over the next few days.

The England U21 international has turned down a new contract at the King Power Stadium, having only made three first-team appearances for Leicester, and has reportedly told the Foxes that Anfield is his desired destination.

A deal may take some time to be negotiated however, with the 19-year-old set to command a significant transfer fee due to his potential, which was spelled out to Klopp by former  Borussia Dortmund II boss and now Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner, who had the defender on loan at the John Smith's Stadium earlier this season.

With Klopp targeting a number of signings this summer, Liverpool are also waiting to find out where Mario Götze intends to move as they look to beat off competition from his former club Dortmund to be the £20 million attacking midfielder's next club.

Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud is also on the club's list with Klopp also said to be looking at another centre-back in addition to Dejan Lovren and Matip, with Kolo Touré and Martin Skrtel set to leave the club and Mamadou Sakho waiting to find out the length of his ban for failing a UEFA drugs test.

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.