Newcastle were keen on Thomas Strakosha but the Lazio goalkeeper could now end up signing for Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Magpies have an established number one goalkeeper in Martin Dubravka but continue to be linked with other stoppers.
Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman are both expected to leave the club this summer whilst Mark Gillespie is better off as a third-choice.
This may be a prime opportunity for Newcastle to go for another goalkeeper, possibly with the idea of dropping Dubravka to the bench.
A host of goalkeepers have been linked with the club, including Dean Henderson and Bernd Leno, but one repeated rumour surrounds Strakosha.
Newcastle were keen on Thomas Strakosha
Reports from The Sun back in November suggested that Newcastle were lining up a pre-contract agreement for Lazio goalkeeper Strakosha.
That didn’t materialise but the rumours didn’t stop there with claims in Italy suggesting that Strakosha would be joining Newcastle when his contract ended.
Even in May, Italian newspapers were stating that Strakosha was ready to make the move to Newcastle.
Strakosha’s contract ends in just over two weeks and with no Newcastle deal done, it just doesn’t look like he will be joining after all.
There is no Lazio deal in the pipeline either so just where is Strakosha going?
There have been strong links to Fulham but it could be their West London neighbours Chelsea who pounce with a move.
Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea are considering signing Strakosha to be their prime backup to Edouard Mendy.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been linked with leaving the club – ironically to Lazio alongside his former boss Maurizio Sarri – and Strakosha is viewed as a cheap option to be Chelsea’s second choice.
That could appeal to Strakosha but even if that Chelsea move doesn’t materialise, it seems that Newcastle have backed away.
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