Juventus have reportedly returned to pursuing Alban Lafont, who is also on the radar of Arsenal, Lazio and others, as alternative for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italian publication Calciomercato are reporting that Juventus have reignited their interest in French goalkeeping prodigy Alban Lafont. The FC Toulouse man is already well established in Ligue 1 and is the undisputed first-choice at Stadium Municipal, with his displays attracting interest from Arsenal, Watford and Lazio.
Juventus are eyeing Alban Lafont as an alternative to AC Milan sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma. The player has stalled his contract talks with the Rossoneri, which has brought about speculation linking him with a move away from San Siro.
And while all the other big clubs are also keeping an eye on the player, Donnarumma, who is touted as the natural successor to Buffon in the Italian national setup, is being eyed by Juventus as the veteran goalkeeper’s heir at club level as well. But, Donnarumma is likely to cost a fortune for any club who ends up securing him.
And while Donnarumma has been tipped as the next goalkeeping sensation, Lafont, who has flown under the radar a bit, has been achieving the same level of feats in Ligue 1, with a team whose back four doesn’t compare to what Donnarumma has in front of him at AC Milan.
Lafont’s performances have seen him linked with Arsenal, Watford and Lazio, with Arsenal being long-term admirers of the Frenchman. Arsenal have struggled to find a true and able number one for around a decade now ever since the departure of Jens Lehmann from the club.
Watford have Heurelho Gomes, who has looked shaky in a few games, despite putting in decent shifts overall. Lazio, on the other hand, have a promising goalkeeper already in 21-year-old Thomas Strakosha and could look to further add another young exciting goalkeeping prospect among their ranks.
And Juventus, who were credited with interest in Lafont previously as well, are now shifting their attention towards the Frenchman as well, with the Bianconeri feeling the Toulouse custodian is a more viable and realistic transfer target than Donnarumma.
While Juventus will have to face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and possibly others in the pursuit of Donnarumma, Lafont’s chase will see them rival Arsenal, Watford and Lazio, which makes Lafont’s chase comparitively a better proposition.
Taking nothing away from Donnarumma and the talent that he possesses, but Lafont is as much worthy of attention and praise. And by the looks of it, more and more clubs are starting to see the aforementioned. Who knows, Lafont may well be on his way to a more illustrious club in a more illustrious league.
