Lazio could be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper next summer, as Pepe Reina will turn 40. He is under contract till June. His deal includes an automatic one-season extension if they qualify for Europa League.
Thomas Strakosha has featured in that competition, with rather poor results. He is on an expiring contract as well. He has not taken kindly the demotion, and he might head elsewhere, either in January or as a free agent, Corriere dello Sport reports.
Lazio did not have much money to invest in the last window. Therefore, they settled with Reina, who is capable with his feet, as Maurizio Sarri likes. However, they would not mind an upgrade at the position in 2022. In that sense, they are eyeing Chelsea backup Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was a starter at Chelsea under the Italian gaffer.
The management attempted to reunite them last summer. However, the Spanish goalkeeper has a large salary, and Chelsea paid €80M to acquire him from Athletic in 2018. He has four more years left on his contract. The Blues did not open the door to a loan spell while having to contribute to his wages.
Lazio will see whether the situation could change a year later. Chelsea have clearly moved on from Kepa after signing Eduard Mendy from January in September 2020. The Basque could be open to moving to the Italian Capital to play again under a coach that trusted him. However, the financial aspects of the prospective deal figure to be a major obstacle, the newspaper informs.