Maurizio Sarri has clear ideas about how to shore up his Lazio squad. He is clamoring for reinforcements in multiple roles, even more so if the Biancocelesti sold Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The club would not necessarily splurge on the transfer market even if that happened, though.
The gaffer is pushing for reunions with a few of his former players. Some might come very cheap, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. Dries Mertens is currently scheduled to become a free agent. Napoli do not intend to pick up their €4.5M option re-up with him. Sarri and Lazio have been seeking an alternative to Ciro Immobile over the last year.
The boss has Emerson Palmieri atop his preferences for the left-back position. He is on loan, with option to buy, from Chelsea to Olympique Lyonnais. As for the midfield, the manager likes Matias Vecino, whom he coached at Empoli, and Allan, who was one of the driving forces of his Napoli teams. He has just one year left on his deal with Everton, and rumors suggest he could depart for a low fee in the summer.
Sarri suggested Ruben Loftus-Cheek to the Lazio management as a potential heir to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. He does not have a prominent role with the Blues. However, it would take a significant investment to sign him. He has almost the same wages as the Serbian star.
It remains to be seen who will lead the market in the summer. Director Igli Tare has received a proposal from Eintracht Frankfurt. Moreover, he would consider any offer from the top Italian clubs considering the divide within the outfit, Tuttomercatoweb informs. President Claudio Lotito has touched base with former Salernitana executive Angelo Fabiani and Benevento’s Pasquale Foggia. They could replace the current official or join him in a supporting role.