Fulham are in pole position for Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. But, while the finish line is in sight, there’s no champagne popping yet, no rousing chorus of Georges Bizet’s Carmen.
If last year’s Formula 1 season taught is anything, it’s that nothing is over until it’s over.
And if Marco Silva adjusts his wing-mirrors, he’ll see Ralph Hasenhuttl racing along in behind, looking for an angle to overtake. Fulham opened talks with Strakosha on Friday but, according to Corriere dello Sport, Southampton are not giving up just yet.
What’s more, their interest is reportedly ‘more nuanced’ than Fulham’s. What this means exactly is uncertain but this is not the first time Southampton have fluttered their eyelashes in the direction of Lazio’s Greek-born Albanian. An athletic 27-year-old shot-stopper who’d tick plenty of boxes for a club looking to replace Fraser Forster with a younger model.
Strakosha was linked with the Saints last summer too.
It makes sense, then, for Fulham to hedge their bets. The Cottagers have reportedly thrown their hat into the ring for Trabzonspor’s Super Lig-winning skipper Ugurcan Cakir, too. Former fans’ favourite Alphonse Areola is also in contention.
Southampton and Fulham want Thomas Strakosha from Lazio
90Min certainly set pulses racing last month when they claimed that Fulham – a side with a track record when it comes to pulling off unexpected transfer coups – are keen on Lazio talisman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Amid all the excitement, it was easy to forget that his brother, Vanja, was also mentioned as a potential addition to Silva’s Championship-winning squad.
And while Southampton are standing in Fulham’s way with regards to Strakosha, it seems Tottenham Hotspur are happy to wave their London rivals through as the Cottagers chase another Serie A shot-stopper. Antonio Conte taking on the role as the world’s most accommodating nightclub bouncer.
Tuttosport claims that Torino want Pierluigi Gollini to take Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s place between the sticks. Fortunately for Fulham, Tottenham are not going to stand in Gollini’s way. Spurs have already decided against signing the Italy international on a permanent deal.
Given that they were more than happy to farm him out on loan last summer, Atalanta are unlikely to put up much of a fight either.
The ‘exceptional’ Strakosha may be the more ambitious option. But Vanja Milinkovic-Savic certainly seems the more attainable.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
