Lazio‘s search for a replacement for Stefan De Vrij continues as the season unwinds: many defenders have been linked to Tare and Lotito’s radar already, such as the likes of Miguel Araujo, Holger Badstuber and Funes Mori, and the next to be added to this list is Diego Reyes. The Biancocelesti have been heavily linked for some time now to the FC Porto defender, whose contract is set to expire this summer.
Reyes was signed by FC Porto back in 2012 for a fee around €7 million from América, in which he had spent his entire youth and professional career (2006-2013). However, he was sent to Porto’s B team to play from 2013-2015 after making just 5 appearances in the 2013/14 season for the Portuguese side. He has failed to impress and has been loaned out twice since joining the club, managing just 22 appearances since 2013.
In 2015 he was first loaned out to Spanish side Real Sociedad on a season long loan. He appeared in 27 games for the spanish club and was instrumental, having a final rating of 7.31 over the season, before returning back to Portugal. This was short lived however as he was only to find out that he was leaving again to join Spanish side Espanyol in August 2016, again on a season-long loan deal. He made 34 appearances for the club, however the club was just 5 points away from relegation that season – his defensive efforts did not help the club to the extent they were hoping.
Returning back to Portugal, Porto decided to keep Reyes at the club this season, but he has struggled to find first team minutes appearing in only 11 matches in the league, and Lazio have now set their targets. The Biancocelesti have allowed at least one goal in eight out of there last ten games and after crashing out of the Europa League last week to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, conceding 3 goals in 4 minutes, a bolster to this defence is clearly the main desire and the most probable solution for Lazio.
Reyes is known for his aerial ability and concentration, while lacks a strong and sure tackling performance.
Personally, I do not see Reyes being the answer for i biancocelesti. Lazio need someone they can depend on, and someone that can lead the back line. We need a bigger name defender, especially if we make the Champions League or Europa League this season.
Editor: @S_K_MOORE
