According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Lazio have made an official offer for Spal wing-back Mohamed Fares, who has been specifically requested by Biancocelesti Manager Simone Inzaghi.
Just a few days ago, despite Fares being heavily linked to Torino (according to reports in June 2020), Italian Football Reporter Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport announced that both Lazio and Fiorentina had enquired about the player. This interest (from both the Biancocelesti and the Viola) was due to reports of a managerial change with the Granata, whereby Marco Giampaolo looks set to take charge; as the Manager plays a different formation that would not suit Fares, Di Marzio stated that the Piedmont-based club had dropped their interest in the 24-year-old Algeria international, thus leaving Lazio and Fiorentina in pole position to sign the wing-back.
However, as La Lazio Siamo Noi now reports, the situation has since changed again; the Biancocelesti have taken the lead in the race for his signature due to three factors. The first factor pertains to the relationship between Lazio and Spal Presidents Claudio Lotito and Walter Mattioli. Due to their history, they have been in contact on a daily basis regarding this negotiation and are looking to continue doing business with each other. The second factor pertains to the player’s choice. It is said that Fares has chosen the Biancocelesti as he likes the current project and will be able to play in the UEFA Champions League. The third factor pertains to Lazio’s offer to both the club and the player, which are (both) higher than what Fiorentina has been able to put together. The Biancocelesti are said to have offered €7 million + bonuses to Spal while offering Fares a salary of €1.3 per year.
While Fares is said to have accepted the proposed salary, Mattioli is still not convinced by Lazio’s evaluation of the player. Although he started with a request of €12 million for the player, he is willing to drop to €10 million for Lotito. Therefore, while there is still a distance between both parties, it seems as if it is only a matter of time before Fares is acquired by the Biancocelesti.
