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Liverpool: Loris Karius wanted by Besiktas on permanent deal after upturn in form
Besiktas are looking to sign on-loan goalkeeper Loris Karius from Liverpool on a permanent basis, according to reports from Turkey.
Fanatik claimed [via Sport Witness] that the Istanbul-based club want to sign the 26-year-old permanently after an upturn in form over the past few weeks, with a proposal to complete an €8m (£6.84m) transfer in four equal instalments over a four-year period.
The German is into the second year of a two-year loan spell at Besiktas from Anfield, with the Turkish side hoping to formalise the deal in January if Liverpool agree to their transfer proposal, as per Fanatik [via Sport Witness].
If Fanatik‘s reports are true, it would represent a remarkable volte-face from Besiktas, with Takvim claiming less than a month ago [via The Mirror] that the Turkish club were seeking to cancel Karius’ loan spell prematurely.
The goalkeeper endured a difficult start to the season, conceding nine goals in four league games during the autumn as well as being culpable for a horrendous misjudgement in Besiktas’ Europa League loss to Slovan Bratislava, when he raced from his line but failed to reach a 50-50 ball, gifting Andraz Sporar a tap-in, as per The Guardian.
However, since the start of October, Karius’ form has improved drastically, with only one goal conceded in his last five league matches as Besiktas collected 13 points from a possible 15. [via TransferMarkt]
That run included a derby victory over Galatasaray in which he kept a clean sheet and made three saves, a feat he repeated in their most recent outing against Denizlispor.
He has actually had a better record of late than Liverpool’s Alisson, who has conceded one goal in each of his six Reds appearances since returning from a calf injury a month ago. [via TransferMarkt]
However, the Brazilian still has a better return for the season overall with seven goals conceded in eight appearances (0.87 per game), compared to Karius’ 20 in 14 matches (1.43 per game).
Adrian, who deputised for Alisson during his spell out injured, let in 13 goals in his 11 games for the Reds this term (1.18 per game), also leaving him with a better concession rate than the German throughout 2019/20.
Aside from Alisson and Adrian, Liverpool can also call upon Caoimhin Kelleher in goals, with the young Irishman managing a clean sheet on his senior debut against MK Dons in September and making a decisive penalty save in the Carabao Cup shoot-out win over Arsenal last month.
Karius may be on a good run of form now, but his error against Slovan Bratislava had echoes of the fateful 2018 Champions League final, and with the Reds already well-stocked for goalkeeping options, they would be right to accept Besiktas’ reported £6.84m transfer proposal if the Turkish club follow through on it.
What is really crazy to think about is that the Reds paid just £4.75m to bring the Mainz man to Anfield, so could actually be set to make a profit on a player who has done nothing but make mistakes, both on Merseyside and while out on loan.
Fans have often praised sporting director Michael Edwards for his work in selling players like Dominic Solanke, Jordon Ibe and Christian Benteke for more than they are likely worth, and it appears another master-class from the Reds transfer guru could be on the way.
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Liverpool fans, should the club accept the transfer offer that Besiktas are reportedly lining up if presented to them in January? Have your say by commenting below!
