Serie A underachievers Lazio are going through a transformative summer following an underwhelming seventh-place finish last season. After several high-profile departures, the Bianconeri have tightened the noose on their sixth signing under new manager Marco Baroni.
According to Il Messaggero via Diario Sport, Lazio have accelerated their effort to rescue teenager forward Vitor Roque from his Barcelona misery. Strapped for cash, club president Claudio Lotito has drawn up an inventive plan to get a deal over the line after Los Blaugranas turned his opening bid.
Barcelona refused to let their 19-year-old flop join Lazio on loan with an option to buy. However, Lotito now plans to offer around €20 million for fifty percent of the economic rights of the striker, convinced the future sale would benefit both clubs. There’s a chance the La Liga powerhouse could accept such a proposal.
Roque has drawn inquiries from Saudi Arabia. But he has no intention of moving to the desert at the start of his career. Therefore, Lazio is Barcelona’s best chance of finding a decent landing spot for their outcast and helping the talented youngster regain confidence after a stuttering start to life in Europe.
If everything goes according to plan, Roque will become Biancocelesti’s sixth summer addition. Gaetano Castrovilli has joined Lazio on a free transfer from Fiorentina. Nuno Tavares and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have arrived on loan, while the club forked out around €18m to sign Loum Tchaouna and Tijjani Noslin from Salernitana and Verona, respectively.
In addition to Roque, Lazio are considering a swoop for Inter bust Joaquin Correa.
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