SS Lazio, transfer rumours heat up ahead of January: how can the market be unlocked?
The summer window has been closed little more than a week, yet Lazio are already at the centre of fresh transfer talk. Last summer’s market freeze heavily restricted the Biancocelesti, but the club remain hopeful of strengthening Maurizio Sarri’s squad in January.
Several names are being linked, starting with Lorenzo Insigne, who has been circling around the club for the past three months. Sarri is pushing for a younger squad capable of providing long-term guarantees. In defence, ex-Milan centre-back Jan-Carlo Simić is admired, though Saudi clubs are circling with their own window closing tomorrow. In midfield, Giovanni Fabbian is an option, while the coach’s dream target is Konstantinos Karetsas – the 17-year-old Genk talent who has impressed with Greece in recent World Cup qualifiers. A decade ago Lazio plucked Sergej Milinković-Savić from the Belgian side, and history could repeat itself.
How can Lazio fund the January market?
The most straightforward route would have been through summer exits. But with only Tchaouna departing, and fringe players like Basic, Gigot, Kamenović and Fares all still in Rome, Lazio failed to raise the €20m needed in transfer fees and wage savings.
That figure could now come from sponsorship. The club are in advanced talks over a four-year deal worth around €5m per season and are pushing to receive the full amount upfront to free up funds for January.
A third option would be bank financing, but president Claudio Lotito has repeatedly dismissed that route. A solution must be found by 30 September, when the club closes its quarterly accounts. If no deal is in place, Lazio will likely head into the January window without the resources to manoeuvre.
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