‘I hope’ - Newcastle United star’s partner pleads with Eddie Howe for summer transfer

Italian TV presenter Diletta Leotta has admitted she wants fiance and Newcastle United goalkeeper Loris Karius to leave this summer.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the Magpies will not renew his contract when it expires in June. Karius arrived 18 months ago as an emergency backup after Martin Dubravka joined Manchester United on loan.

He was thrown into the deep end for his Toon debut by starting in the Carabao Cup final last season - the club’s biggest game for a generation. Nick Pope had been sent off a week earlier against Liverpool and Dubravka, who featured in the competition for Man United, was cup-tied.

Karius was again given an uphill task at Arsenal last month, making his second Newcastle appearance in the 4-0 drubbing. In fairness, the German could do little about the goals and his stock rose after the game. But the 30-year-old is now reportedly seeking first-team football and a closer setting to his family. Karius got engaged to Leotta last year and also welcomed a daughter, Aria, in August.

Wanting to move closer to his family is understood to be the key reason why Karius plans on leaving Newcastle. The goalie recently changed agencies to ensure the best chance of moving to Italy next season.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Karius opened up about the lack of game time and living away from his family. He said: “I want to go back to being a number one, like I always have been, except for the last two years. When I play I do well, I know I have enough quality to perform at the highest levels again.

“Living apart isn’t easy, we’re both busy with work, on our days off we try to see each other but we don’t always succeed. In England, the schedule is very busy. Sometimes we meet once a week, sometimes less. It’s a bit heavy.”

His popular girlfriend has now broken her silence urging Italian clubs to make an offer. She told Cattelan: “I hope to see him in Italy, perhaps near Milan. So Monza, yes, but we can also get to Como.”