Francesco Acerbi and Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro will not partake in the upcoming Lazio friendlies in Germany. They will continue to train on their own in Rome while they seek new teams. The defender and coach Maurizio Sarri mutually come to such decision as he is no longer part of the plans, Corriere dello Sport informs.
The Biancocelesti have signed three new center-backs, Alessio Romagnoli, Nicolò Casale and Mario Gila, after losing Luiz Felipe. They have added Marcos Antonio and are about to onboard Matias Vecino in the midfield. Their new signings have made the veteran and the youngster redundant.
Acerbi has been engaged in a lengthy feud with the Lazio fans after replying to some criticism by silencing the Curva following a goal. The supporters have targeted him also during the retreat in Auronzo di Cadore. The club stuck by him throughout the season but evidently moved on during the transfer market window.
The 34-year-old is on his way out but lacks suitors. Napoli touched base but opted for Kim Min-Jae. He would like to join a big team, but Inter and Milan are focusing on younger targets at the moment. It doesn’t look like Juventus will make further additions unless Daniele Rugani leaves. Monza and Fiorentina could emerge as landing spots later on. He earns about €2M, and the Biancocelesti want €3/4M to let him go.
Our Take on Acerbi Departing from Lazio
His fit in a four-man defense remains suspect despite playing for a year in such system. He would be better off moving to a side that uses a three-man line. Nobody would be stunned if he ended up at Inter. The management improved the rearguard without splurging, as Romagnoli was a free agent, and Casale could turn out to be a bargain.