Having ended last season on a high, finishing second behind runaway league winners Napoli, Lazio were expected to have conducted themselves in a starkly different manner than they actually have in the transfer market. And there is no one more disconsolate than manager Maurizio Sarri.
Since the summer transfer window opened doors in Italy, back on July 1, there has been only one player welcomed officially by the Biancocelesti so far, Taty Castellanos. Meanwhile, the list of four departees has been highlighted by the transfer of star player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Sporting director Igli Tare’s departure from the management has weighed measurably on Lazio’s transfer plans.
Lazio president Lotito: “I was prepared to open talks with Man United and bid for Fred, but Maurizio Sarri told me no — he doesn’t want Fred”. 🔵🇧🇷 #MUFC
“He did the same with Lo Celso… Sarri wants Zielinski and Ricci”, Lotito told Messaggero. pic.twitter.com/3NxIOUEgP1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 29, 2023
As per Il Messaggero (via Tuttomercatoweb), a recent confrontation took place between Sarri and to-be sporting director Angelo Fabbiani, who has been backed to take over Tare’s seat. Sarri, undeterred, is set to stay strong on his position of onboarding several talents, with president Claudio Lotito long aware of his wishlist that includes four outfield players – Torino’s Samuele Ricci, Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi, and Napoli duo Piotr Zielinski and Mario Rui.
Particularly, Sarri is disappointed with the club’s inactivity to onboard Milinkovic-Savic’s replacement. Having recently butted heads with Lotito, blaming the top management for their inefficacy in making his wishes come true ahead of a crucial season, the Biancocelesti faithful can only hope the recent rendezvous at Formello between the two shifts proceedings.
🚨#Lazio – Claudio #Lotito a Formello per vertice con Maurizio #Sarri ⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/l6lTvkDLvS
— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) July 31, 2023
The ex-Chelsea and Napoli manager hopes to witness a reversal in the club’s sluggish and inactive stance in the coming weeks, with just one month left in the summer window.
Lazio will feature in the UEFA Champions League next season for the first time in three seasons. They last appeared in the continental competition back in 2020/21, losing out 6-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the Round of 16.
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