Lazio are reluctant to negotiate Luis Alberto’s departure despite growing interest from Inter boss Simone Inzaghi in his former pupil. As per Fabrizio Romano (via The Laziali), Biancocelesti supremo Claudio Lotito is determined to fend off Inzaghi’s interest following a summer break-up.
Inzaghi left Lazio after five years to fill the managerial vacancy at Inter following Antonio Conte’s exit. During his five-year reign at the Stadio Olimpico, the 45-year-old tactician heavily relied on Luis Alberto, helping him become a household name in Italy.
Indeed, the 28-year-old joined Lazio in summer 2016 on the back of an underwhelming spell at Liverpool and struggled to impress in his maiden Serie A season. After making just nine appearances in 2016/17, Alberto has gone from strength to strength under Inzaghi, registering 175 outings for the club from the capital.
The Spaniard has been indispensable in the attacking third alongside evergreen figure Ciro Immobile and is deemed unsellable by Lotito despite a topsy-turvy season. The Biancocelesti president is determined to keep hold of Alberto beyond the summer and not to allow Inter to take him away from Rome.
Maurizio Sarri, who replaced Inzaghi at Lazio, is enthusiastic about the prospect of having Alberto on the team. The 62-year-old reportedly requested guarantees about the Spaniard’s future before taking charge earlier in June.
In the meantime, Inzaghi was keen to reunite with the creative attacking midfielder at the Giuseppe Meazza. However, the Italian manager will have to turn his attention elsewhere if he looks to add to his attacking options in the summer.