Serie A strugglers Lazio have reportedly been quoted a substantial €20m price tag on sought-after Udinese youngster Destiny Udogie. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Biancocelesti will have to raise funds from player sales to finance their pursuit of the 19-year-old defender.
Per the same source, Lazio have already splashed out €45m this summer and are about to make it €50m should Ivan Provedel complete his arrival from Spezia. Meanwhile, they have earned a mere €15m from the departures of Vedat Muriqi Denis Vavro.
In order to collect more funds, Lazio may have to offload several fringe players. Elseid Hysaj is said to be on the verge of joining Valencia in a €5m deal. Jony and Gonzalo Escalante could soon follow the Albanian through the exit door after being deemed surplus to requirements.
Unless Lazio sort out the outgoings, Udogie could be heading to the Premier League. Several English sides have displayed interest in last season’s Serie A revelation. But the Italian prodigy has settled himself at Dacia Arena and would reportedly prefer to stay in his homeland.
Though Udogie’s preference gives Lazio the upper hand over Premier League clubs, finding an agreement with Udinese could prove tricky. Talks between sides are underway, yet the stumbling block in the form of the player’s price tag threatens to blow up the deal.
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri is in the market for a new left-back. He has already earmarked Chelsea flop Emerson Palmieri as his top target. However, Udogie’s name features the Italian manager’s wishlist close to the top.
There is no doubt that Udogie could be a major coup for Lazio moving forward. Let’s see if they can convince Udinese to drive down the asking price.