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Liverpool close in on £30million deal for Loris Karius replacement

The Reds are eyeing the Albania international in their search to sort their goalkeeping crisis and he represents a far cheaper option than their other two main targets

LIVERPOOL are nearing the signing of £30m-rated Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, according to reports.

The Albanian shot-stopper is just one of several targets linked with replacing the Reds’ Loris Karius.

Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha is seen as a cheaper option than Alisson and Jan Oblak, costing half as much

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Lazio’s Thomas Strakosha is seen as a cheaper option than Alisson and Jan Oblak, costing half as much

They have previously enquired about Brazil’s Alisson and Jan Oblak, currently at Atletico Madrid.

But Strakosha, at £30m, would represent a far cheaper and also younger option for Liverpool, according to the Mirror.


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The 23-year-old played all 38 Serie A matches for Lazio last season, but conceded 49 goals.

While that is more than any the other top nine sides, it was a brilliant first full season at the Stadio Olimpico.

Two goalkeeping errors by Loris Karius cost Liverpool in their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month

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Two goalkeeping errors by Loris Karius cost Liverpool in their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month

Lazio have been reluctant to let him go, but Liverpool have received a huge boost in their bid to sign the Albanian, as the Italians are close to completing a deal for Strakosha’s replacement, Silvio Proto.

This would open the door for the Reds to swoop in and complete their third signing of the summer.

Liverpool have been searching for a permanent first-choice goalkeeper for sometime with Karius and Simon Mignolet both uninspiring in recent years.

While the former appeared to have gotten the upper hand over the Belgian, his Champions League final horror show caused fresh concerns and began the search for a replacement.

Thomas Strakosha featured 53 times for Lazio last season and also has four caps for Albania

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Thomas Strakosha featured 53 times for Lazio last season and also has four caps for Albania