Chelsea ‘enter race for Lazio keeper and Fulham transfer target Thomas Strakosha’
Chelsea ‘enter race for Lazio keeper and Fulham transfer target Thomas Strakosha’ as Thomas Tuchel eyes potential replacements for former club-record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer
- The Blues would ‘only make the move’ if Kepa Arrizabalaga exited this summer
- The Chelsea shot-stopper is number two despite his £72 million move in 2018
- Fulham were also closing in on a deal for the Albanian goalkeeper last weekend
- Strakosha, 27, looks to be calling time on his 10-season spell at Lazio this summer
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Chelsea are considering a move for goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer should Kepa Arrizabalaga exit Stamford Bridge this summer, according to reports.
The 27-year-old is out of contract with Lazio at the end of the month and has been linked with a move to newly-promoted Fulham after a decade with the Italian club.
But it seems the Cottagers’ west London rivals are now also eyeing Strakosha’s situation, keen to have a ready-made replacement for Kepa should the former club-record signing decide to leave Chelsea.
Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is out of contract with Lazio at the end of the month
Kepa Arrizabalaga arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2018 for a then club record fee of £72 million
Kepa has played second fiddle to Eduoard Mendy between the sticks since his arrival in 2020, accruing only four Premier League performances under Thomas Tuchel last season.
The Spaniard has not lived up to his £72 million fee and may decide to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, provided a buying club meets the Blues’ asking price.
In case Mendy is in need of a new deputy ahead of next season, Chelsea are considering Strakosha as ‘one of the options’ to replace Kepa, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Thomas Tuchel is eyeing possible replacements should Chelsea opt to let Kepa go this summer
The Albanian goalkeeper started last campaign as number two behind Pepe Reina but played every Serie A game from December 5 onwards, keeping seven clean sheets in 23 matches as Lazio finished fifth.
Chelsea’s interest will come as a blow to Fulham, who were reportedly nearing a deal with Strakosha last weekend.
Manager Marco Silva is keen to add top flight experience between the sticks ahead of Fulham’s return to the Premier League next campaign.
Although Chelsea hold the draw of Champions League football, Fulham could more easily tempt Strakosha with the prospect of being a first-choice shot-stopper at the club.
