Newcastle ‘only turned to Loris Karius after failing in bid to land ex-Watford keeper Ben Foster on free transfer’

NEWCASTLE only turned to Loris Karius after failing to land Ben Foster on a free, according to reports.

The 39-year-old keeper has been out of contract since leaving Watford in the summer.

He boasts almost two decades of experience in English football, playing for clubs such as Manchester United and Birmingham City.

And it appears a return could have been on the cards for Foster as Newcastle looked to aid their goalkeeper crisis.

Karl Darlow's injury left the Magpies without a No2 to play back up to Nick Pope after Martin Dubravka left for Man United on loan.

Foster was reportedly in the frame to make his return to football - before he shot Newcastle down.

Sports journalist : "Former Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster turned down an approach from Newcastle to join on a short-term deal before they turned to ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius."

It is not confirmed at the moment why Foster turned down the approach but he has previously hinted that he is enjoying life away from football.

He also keeps himself busy moonlighting as a Youtuber.

Last month he told that his time as a free agent had been "the best summer of his life."

He added: "I left Watford at the end of last season. Normally, when the season finishes you get a month or six weeks off and you jam pack your holidays in. 

“I didn’t really think I would be signing for a new club near enough when the season starts.

“I thought I could give myself two months of holiday, have a nice time and then take it from there.

"I’ve had the best three months ever, been on holiday, just doing normal things when the kids finish school.

"We normally have to take the kids out of school to go on holiday. I’ve enjoyed being a normal person."

With the ex-West Brom keeper out the way, Karius is set to make a dramatic return to English football.

The 29-year-old is best remembered for his fumbling performance in the 2018 Champions League Final against Real Madrid.

He has since been trying to re-build his reputation on loan at Besiktas and Union Berlin, but remains contracted to Liverpool.