According to Calciomercato, Liverpool could agree a £26.4m deal with Lazio for Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. The 23-year-old could be a replacement for Loris Karius this summer, and Lazio have given them a major boost in their pursuit of signing him by lining up Anderlecht’s Proto as Strakosha’s potential replacement.
The Serie A-based stopper has made 78 appearances in all competitions since arriving at the Stadio Olimpico from Panionios in 2012, becoming a first-team regular for Lazio in 2016/17. With Karius struggling for consistency since getting the nod between the sticks from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool are reportedly looking for safer hands in the transfer market.
The Merseysiders do have Simon Mignolet and Danny Ward as options in goal, but Mignolet has been guilty of high-profile errors and Ward is inexperienced. Liverpool were previously looking at AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and AS Roma’s Alisson, but Strakosha is a cheaper option at £26.4m.
And with Lazio preparing for the 23-year-old’s exit by signing Proto from Anderlecht, Klopp’s pursuit of Strakosha should be successful. One potential stumbling might be the interest from other clubs. German Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing up a replacement for Bernd Leno who recently joined Arsenal and could hijack Liverpool’s deal with Lazio.