Lazio have accelerated on the transfer market and are nearing the acquisitions of Nicolò Casale from Verona and Luis Maximiano from Granada. The Biancocelesti need multiple additions in the back due to some key departures.
As per TuttoSport, they have reached agreement with Verona on a €7M fee plus €3M add-ons. The center-back is expected to take the medicals Thursday. He was close to joining in January and rebuffed Monza. Napoli and Milan also tracked him, although the capital side has always seemed in the lead.
The 24-year-old impressed in his first season in Serie A after multiple loan spells in lower leagues, at SudTirol, Venezia and Empoli. He won the starting job early and accrued 36 total appearances. After signing Casale, Lazio will zero in on Maximiano as their next starting shot-stopper. They are in advanced talks for a €7M deal, El Chiringuito reports. He would likely transfer on an initial loan.
President Claudio Lotito confirmed to Il Messaggero.
“We will give Maurizio Sarri two goalkeepers and two defenders, and I keep my promises. Alessio Romagnoli can stay home at certain conditions.”
The Sporting CP product moved to Granada in 2021 and had a solid campaign despite his side’s relegation. He allowed 55 goals and kept 8 clean sheets in 35 matches. He previously started in 25 games in Portugal and 4 times in Europa League.
Our Take on Lazio Signing Casale and Likely Maximiano
The defender was a beast last season and is very gifted physically. He appears to be more of a three-man line specialist, but he should be young and versatile enough to adapt. The aggressive style of Maurizio Sarri demands a lot from those playing in such position, and his athleticism is ideal. The shot-stopper could easily turn out to be a bargain at those figures.