Lazio are in the hunt for a new starting goalkeeper and appear to have zeroed in on Sergio Rico. Thomas Strakosha and Pepe Reina have only a few months left on their contracts. The club and the two players seem to be on the same page about moving on.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Biancocelesti would prefer not to lose the Albanian international for nothing, though. The extension talks have gone nowhere so far. However, the management will propose a short-term deal with a low release clause to make a small profit on his sale. He has drawn interest in particular from Watford, Il Messaggero reports.
Reina’s pact would be automatically prolonged if they qualified for a European competition, as likely at this point. However, the Spaniard still wishes to be a regular starter. Therefore, he will ask out regardless of his contractual situation, Gazzetta adds. Lazio have placed Sergio Rico atop their shortlist, which includes a few Italian options.
David Ospina and Pierluigi Gollini have also been mentioned as potential targets. Real Madrid are keen on the former too but for a backup role. Lazio are keeping tabs on a few other Serie A shot-stoppers, but Sergio Rico figures to be easier to acquire. PSG could sell him for less than €4M, the outlet relays. He joined Mallorca on loan in January. He started for multiple seasons at Sevilla and one at Fulham before becoming a reserve in Ligue 1. The 28-year-old is under contract until 2024.