Outgoing Lazio centre-back Luiz Felipe is reportedly on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement with Real Betis ahead of a summer switch to La Liga. According to recent reports from La Lazio Siamo Noi, the Brazilian has no interest in renewing his contract at the Stadio Olimpico as he targets a move abroad.
Felipe’s contract at Lazio will run out at the end of the season. But despite being kept in high esteem by manager Maurizio Sarri and the club hierarchy, the 24-year-old has his heart set on moving away from Italy’s capital in the summer.
Reigning Serie A champions Inter have emerged as potential candidates to lure the highly-rated defender away from Lazio. The Nerazzurri boss Simone Inzaghi is familiar with Felipe’s qualities, having coached him for five years before leaving the Bianconcelesti for Giuseppe Meazza last summer.
Since Inter could be parting with Stefan de Vrij at the end of the season, Inzaghi is in the market for a new central defender to fill the void. But he may well have to search for other options as the wantaway Lazio star looks to be on his way to joining Betis as a free agent.
Indeed, Los Verdiblancos are now in pole position to sign Felipe after offering him a substantial salary of €3.2 million net per season plus add-ons. The Spaniards are desperate to land one of the most consistent Lazio performers this season and are, therefore, readying a four-year contract for him.
On the other hand, Lazio are assessing the prospect of replacing Felipe with Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli in the summer. The Italian centre-half could be available on a free transfer unless the current Serie A pacesetters extend his deal in the coming months.
Romagnoli’s contract at San Siro expires in July, but the Rossoneri are optimistic about their chances of tying him down to a new deal by then.