Liverpool transfer rumours: Reds on the verge of completing Loris Karius signing from Mainz

Liverpool are closing in on their first summer deal after opening talks with Bundesliga club Mainz with a view to signing their goalkeeper Loris Karius. The Germany U21 international has already spent time in England after spending two years with the Manchester City youth setup before joining his current employers in 2011.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are confident of agreeing a £4.7 ($6.8m) deal for the 'keeper with talks said to be ongoing at the moment between the two clubs. Jurgen Klopp is keen to bring in a stopper, who can challenge Simon Mignolet for the number one jersey next season and believes the 22-year-old will fit the bill after impressing in the Bundesliga this season.

Karius progressed through Mainz's youth academy after his move from Manchester and has currently made around 96 appearances for the club. Klopp will be looking to bring in a stopper with enough capabilities to knock Mignolet off the top, after the Belgian came under intense pressure this season following a couple of high profile errors.

Adam Bogdan was the second choice stopper at the start of the season under former boss Brendan Rodgers, but the free transfer from Bolton Wanderers failed to impress the former Borussia Dortmund manager and is likely to be sold in the summer. Danny Ward is the current second choice following his recall from a loan spell with Scottish outfit Aberdeen. The 22-year-old short stopper has impressed Klopp in his two outings with the first-team, but the arrival of Karius could see him being loaned out yet again with Huddersfield Town reportedly keen on signing him on a temporary basis next season.

Karius' deal will make it three signings for Klopp since his arrival at Anfield following the capture of FC Schalke's Joel Matip, who will arrive on a free transfer, while Marko Grujic was signed from Red Star Belgrade, but remained on loan with his hometown club in the second-half of the 2015/16 season.