Report: Newcastle looking to raid local rivals for 29-year-old goalkeeper to replace outbound Loris Karius

Newcastle United's emergency goalkeeper signing Loris Karius was only supposed to be at the club for six months when he signed in September 2022.

With Martin Dubravka on holiday in Manchester and Karl Darlow injured, Newcastle only had Mark "Living The Dream" Gillespie as a back-up for Nick Pope so moved to bring in cover in the form of former Liverpool 'keeper Loris Karius.

The German stopped had faded into obscurity after leaving Liverpool following his blunders that cost the Reds the Champions League final, but Eddie Howe had enough faith to offer him a short-term deal.

Karius probably never actually expected to play for the Magpies at all, let alone being drafted in to make his debut in the Carabao Cup final thanks to Nick Pope picking up a red card in the last league game before the trip to Wembley.

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Newcastle are looking for a backup goalkeeper to replace Loris Karius

Despite losing 2-0, Karius acquitted himself well and at the end of the season he ultimately saw his contract extended to the end of this season. Now with that deadline approaching, Karius has signaled his intention to move on, preferably to Italy to be closer to his partner - and honestly, we don't blame him at all.

That will leave the Magpies with a hole to fill in terms of a back-up keeper, but The Telegraph believes they already have someone in mind in the form of Middlesbrough's 'keeper Seny Dieng.

Dieng joined the Smoggies from QPR in the summer and has amassed quite a string of admirers this season.

Aaron Ramsdale also remains on Newcastle's radar

Other Championship sides are interested in the 29-year-old, including Ipswich who could find themselves in the Premier League next season. With Newcastle only prepared to offer him backup status, he could be tempted to move elsewhere or even stay at Middlesbrough where he'd be more likely to get regular playing time.

That being said, Newcastle really do need to bring in more talent in the goalkeeping department this summer, preferably someone who can push or even replace Nick Pope as Martin Dubravka has proved that he just isn't at the right level anymore.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale seems the most likely option, but he would want assurances that he'd get regular minutes, whether Eddie Howe uses Ramsdale for cup competitions and Pope for Premier League or vice versa, at least until one proves themselves to be superior.