Lazio have finally completed their lengthy pursuit of Toma Basic. The midfielder arrived in town yesterday and took the medicals and signed the paperwork earlier today. The Biancocelesti had started targeting him in late June, but it took them two months to seal the deal for a variety of reasons, Alfredo Pedullà reports.
Despite the delays, the 24-year-old had given his word to Lazio and the operation never really appeared in jeopardy. They beat Napoli and Atalanta in the race to acquire him from Bordeaux. They will spend slightly less than €10M for him including add-ons. Basic has penned a four-year contract and will earn €1.5M per season, LaLazioSiamoNoi informs.
The Croatian international adds size and dynamism to the Lazio midfield. He will be able to play in any of the three spots. Bordeaux signed him for €3.5M in 2018 after two solid seasons at Hajduk Split. He accrued 82 appearances with Les Girondins, scoring 9 goals and providing 5 assists. He has two caps with his national team.
The president of the French club confirmed last week that Basic had long decided his next destination. Lazio are now about to sell Joaquin Correa to Inter. But it was owner Claudio Lotito who untangled their financial situation ast week, pouring a few million into the finances of the team. The move allowed them to announce all their previous summer purchases and field them in the opener. The 25-year-old midfielder followed suit shortly thereafter.