Club de Fútbol Monterrey and Mexico international Carlos Rodríguez, who is a reported target of Lazio, briefly spoke to ESPN about his future.
I don’t know if my agent is having interviews or meetings with other clubs (about my future). But it is important to note that we have agreed that he will take care of this kind of thing. I’m currently owned by Monterrey and I’m focused on the work that I have to do here.
Lazio’s interest? I haven’t had any contact with my agent, we just talked and he told me he’s considering a few different options. There will be a time to talk about it; we’ll see what happens.
The Biancocelesti have entrusted an intermediary with the task of establishing contact with both the Agent of the 23-year-old midfielder and with the Mexican Liga MX club to understand their willingness to negotiate. As it stands, Monterrey have stated that the player has a €12 million release clause and that paying this amount will be the only way Rodríguez leaves (as he still has another three years remaining in his contract).
While an offer is yet to be made for the player, Sporting Director Igli Tare is said to appreciate the Mexican’s qualities, as he can play in various roles. Furthermore, the midfielder has reportedly let his Agent know that he wants to continue his career in Europe; if he pushes for the transfer, a deal could possibly be struck.
It is important to note that Rodríguez is a non-EU member. As Lazio can only acquire two non-European players in this Summer Transfer Window, signing him becomes that much more difficult. This is due to the fact that, at the beginning of the Transfer Market, the Biancocelesti had more than two non-EU players in their squad; four to be precise in the likes of Thomas Strakosha, Adam Marusic, Bastos and Wallace.
According to the rules and regulations set by the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC), clubs in this situation (with more than two non-EU players at the start of the Transfer Window) can sign an additional two non-EU players, provided that: one of them has played or been on the bench for at least five matches with their respective nation in the last 12 months (this spot has been occupied by Vedat Muriqi), and one of them is signed after the sale of one of the current non-EU players in the squad (Thomas Strakosha, Adam Marusic, Bastos or Wallace). Therefore, if Lazio wants to bring Rodríguez to Rome, they will have to work on first finding a destination for one of these four aforementioned players.
