Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Jonas Hector, Loris Karius Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly homing in on a pair of Bundesliga signings and will move for Cologne left-back Jonas Hector following reports his replacement has already been found, while Loris Karius' move looks to be sealed.

According to German newspaper Bild, Cologne are close to completing the acquisition of Darmstadt defender Konstantin Rausch, which could see Hector permitted to move on (h/t Charlie Philippe of the Daily Express).

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Left-back is one of the priority areas the Reds are allegedly looking to strengthen this summer, with confidence in Spanish incumbent Alberto Moreno said to be wavering with some.

Cologne manager Peter Stoger recently spoke to German magazine Kicker regarding his players future at the club amid rumours Liverpool were hoping to complete a £12 million move (h/t Metro's Lee Thomas-Mason):

"

I don’t have to talk about what may happen in the summer. But if somebody should offer us a three-figure million sum, we’d probably give in.

If a two-figure million sum is offered, we’d consider it. And if Jonas Hector says that he doesn’t want to stay here, we’d have to face up to it.

"

Moreno came under heavy criticism for his performance in Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, intensifying speculation manager Jurgen Klopp will look to sign a new left-back.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach will undoubtedly have knowledge of Hector, who has earned reviews as one of the best full-backs in the Bundesliga this season and has made Germany's provisional squad for Euro 2016. Stoger recently had major words of praise for his defender, per DW Sports:

The 25-year-old has made 132 appearances for Cologne since earning his senior debut in 2012—he started in all 32 of his league appearances this term—and has 12 caps for the national team in total.

A transfer this summer is clearly on the cards, too, after the player's agent, Rainer Derber, failed to deny the possibility of an exit, per Philippe's report: “We must talk to interested clubs in consultation with Cologne but this will not happen before the end of the Bundesliga. He will not only benefit from a transfer, but so will Cologne.” 

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Liverpool also stand to see their goalkeeping options boosted with the news Mainz stopper Karius is on the brink of a £4.7 million move to Anfield, according to the Guardian's Andy Hunter.

Jonathan Harding of DW Sports has tipped the 22-year-old to be a good signing for the Reds, combining youth with impressive experience as Klopp looks to former club Mainz for new additions:

Karius has represented every German national team at youth level from under-16 up to under-21s, showing a consistency in his development that could one day result in a senior call-up.

The uncertainty in Simon Mignolet's place as Liverpool No. 1 means rumours of a goalkeeping replacement have been rife at Liverpool of late, and they might finally have found their man in the form of Karius.