Newcastle Joins Race With Chelsea And Fulham For Strakosha Contract

Newcastle United is interested in a bid for Chelsea's target Thomas Strakosha. The 27-year-old is a goalkeeper for Lazio in Serie A and has been their first-choice goalkeeper since 2016. His current contract expires in Italy and the player can leave next month.

According to the Mirror, Strakosha is close to a move to Premier League-promoted Fulham, but Chelsea is now another interested club. That has delayed the decision of the Albanian player, who is being watched closely by Newcastle United in hopes of taking him to St James' Park.

If the Blues sign him, he will primarily serve as a back-up for Eduardo Mendy, a move that could also end Kepa Arrizabalaga's stay at Chelsea. However, with Eddie Howe goalie Martin Dubravka now 33, Strakosha could have a chance to go straight to the No. 1 pick in goal. 

He will certainly see Stamford Bridge as the more attractive target in terms of club status and the competition Thomas Tuchel's side plays. But Newcastle United can promise him regular game time, and as a 27-year-old he can prioritize that.

With the support of new owners PIF, the Magpies are looking to close the gap in the Premier League's "top six" and beating them for a player in the transfer market is a good start.