Newcastle United man emerges as surprise target for Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas-owned Serie A club

Loris Karius will be free to find the sixth club of his career when his Newcastle United contract expires this summer. The German goalkeeper has made just two appearances for Newcastle since signing on a free transfer in the 2022/23 season.

His debut came just a month after his arrival in February 2023 in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United. The match marked his first appearance in two years and his first competitive game for an English club since the infamous 2018 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Newcastle ultimately lost the League Cup final 2-0 in 2023 but Karius came out of the game with some credit, having made eight saves. 

The 30-year-old had to wait nearly a full 12 months for his second and final outing for the Magpies which came during a 4-1 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League. Despite a five-month injury to Nick Pope during the 2023-24 campaign, Karius’ first-team opportunities were limited as Martin Dubravka was the preferred option in goal.

In recent times Karius has publicly stated his intention to move to Serie A to be closer to his partner Diletta Leotta. The likes of AC Milan and Monza have been attributed with interest, but the newest contenders appear to be newly-promoted Serie A side Como, according to Shields Gazette.

Como earned promotion for the first time in 21 years after finishing runners-up in Serie B. The Italian side boast Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas as minority owners while the team’s main advisor to the board is former Newcastle director of football Dennis Wise.

The ex-Chelsea and Wimbledon midfielder worked at Newcastle between January 2008 and April 2009 following the shock return of fan-favourite Kevin Keegan as manager.

Wise struggled to form a strong working relationship with Keegan who resigned months later while Wise stepped aside from his behind the scenes role in April 2009 just weeks before the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Karius’ partner Leotta admitted that Como is one of her preferences for him and told Cattelan: “I hope to see him in Italy, maybe somewhere near Milan,” she told Cattelan. “So, Monza, yes, but we could also get him to Como.”

Karius added that is is key he goes somewhere where he can be first choice. He told Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this year: “Of course, [joining an Italian club] would be a great solution if there were good options for me, regardless of proximity to my family. I want to go back to being number one like I always have been except for the last two years. When I play I do well and I know I have enough quality to perform at the highest levels again.

“When I arrived [at Newcastle], they already had a starting goalkeeper, and it wasn’t easy for me. I definitely aim to play more and that’s why I train hard every day. You’re alone in goal, when you score goals, all eyes are on you but when you do something positive no one cares. It’s part of the game, you have to be mentally strong, more than others.”