Reported West Ham United target Thomas Strakosha has cast doubt on his future at Lazio by telling Sky Germany that he is ‘open to new challenges’.
If there is one position where David Moyes is not short of options, it’s between the sticks.
Then again, with Lukasz Fabianski and David Martin yet to extend their contracts ahead of a potential summer exit, the Hammers may have no choice but to look for a new number one.
And it seems they might have found him already.
Calciomercato reported in January that West Ham had made an approach for Lazio shot-stopper Strakosha. Il Messagero, meanwhile, believes that bench-warming centre-back Fabian Balbuena would be offered as a makeweight in the deal.
25-year-old Strakosha has also been linked with a Borussia Dortmund side who are looking to replace the error-prone duo of Roman Burki and Marwin Hitz.
While the 6ft 4ins Albania international is not exactly desperate to depart one of Europe’s most picturesque, passionate footballing cities, the time is coming to consider a fresh start.
“Rome is my second home, I feel comfortable in the city, but I’m always open to new challenges,” said Strakosha, who is valued at around £34 million.
“(Dortmund) are a great club, they have a very young and talented team and an incredible stadium. It could be a great step in my career. Who wouldn’t be interested in playing in such a club? The Bundesliga is an interesting league, with good teams.
“I’m relaxed and I still have enough time to think. I’m happy at Lazio, and I’m very grateful to them. I think the club is happy with me too.”
At 33, Darren Randolph is unlikely to be viewed as a long-term replacement for fellow veteran Fabianski while next season may come too soon for the highly-rated Nathan Trott.
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