As the winter transfer window approaches its deadline on the midnight of Monday, the 31st of January, Lazio are still keen to bolster their ranks with the presence of atleast one player.
However, there are two names being touted as last-minute transfers for the Biancocelesti, as they seek to gather momentum to end up in European places by the end of the season.
According to reports by transfer market expert Alfredo Pedulia, Maurizio Sarri expects a central defenders along with a forward. For the former position, the primary name in contention is Hellas Verona center-back Nicolo Casale, who has long been linked to Sarri’s outfit.
Casale is one of Serie A’s most underrated defenders, and luring him has been one of Lazio’s prime targets this transfer window. Lazio president Claudio Lotito is expected to hold final talks for the Italian defender today with Verona president Maurizio Setti but it is highly unlikely to see the Gialloblu part ways with him at the moment. However, a move in June – at the end of the season – cannot be completely ruled out.
Muro di #Setti a #Lotito: Nicolò #Casale ritenuto incedibile dal #Verona. Respinta l’offerta della #Lazio. Il gioiello difensivo gialloblù si muoverà in estate. #calciomercato
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 26, 2022
The details of the transfer are holding the two clubs back from making any developments. If a move materializes now, it shall be on loan, and Lazio cannot guarantee a deal with an obligation to buy. Hella Verona on the other hand, aren’t open to a loan move with a clause that includes a right to buy at the end of the deal.
On the attacking front, Atalanta playmaker Aleksey Miranchuk is a primary target, as Lazio outcast Vedat Muriqi is expected to complete a loan move to Spanish outfit RCD Mallorca by the end of the window.
Il Messaggero : La #Lazio se rapproche d'Aleksey Miranchuk, négociations en cours avec l'#Atalanta pic.twitter.com/at06wDE6d3
— GuillaumeMP (@Guillaumemp) January 27, 2022
Miranchuk, the Russian trequartista, has suffered from the lack of playing time under Gian Piero Gasperini. He has appeared just 16 times across all competitions this campaign, scoring one goal and assisting twice as many. However, with Josip Ilicic sidelined at the moment due to personal problems, Miranchuk could prove to be instrumental in Atalanta’s race to maintain their top-four momentum.
Atalanta have also completed a loan transfer for Romanian attacking talent Valentin Mihaila – which makes Miranchuk’s position in the club’s ranks much more precarious.
Valentin #Mihaila to #Atalanta from #Parma on loan (€1M) with option to buy (€8M), which could become an obligation to buy upon reaching certain conditions, is at the final stage. Ready a 4-years contract. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 30, 2022
Lazio have suffered from a negative liquidity index in the transfer market – with a €-5.36m loss so far. Nevertheless, president Lotito has assured the Biancocelesti faithful that the club ‘will do something in the transfer market’.
“Unfortunately in the last few days I have been busy but now I’m going to play. The fans must rest assured because we will do something on the transfer market,” he said to Italian outlet Il Messaggero (via LazioNews24).