Report: Liverpool close in on signing of Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius

Liverpool are reportedly close to sealing the signature of Mainz 05 goalkeeper Loris Karius.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a switch to the Premier League, with Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton also thought to be interested.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring a new goalkeeper to Anfield in order to provide competition to current number one Simon Mignolet.

According to ESPN, Liverpool are close to striking a deal after being in talks with Karius and his camp for some time.

The German signed a new deal with Mainz in January, but a release clause worth €10m (£7.9m) was inserted into the contract.

Karius spent two years at Manchester City's academy before joining the setup at Mainz in 2011.