Sporting director Igli Tare confirmed that Luis Alberto would not be leaving Lazio this summer, despite rumours of a possible return to Spain.
The 29-year-old midfielder asked to be transfer listed earlier this summer, reportedly keen on returning to the Iberian peninsula to close out his career. Sevilla were keen on a move, but ended up signing Isco on a free transfer after failing to agree a deal with Lazio.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia before Lazio’s win over Bologna (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Tare first looked ahead to the campaign ahead of the team.
This year’s season was born from last year. We have already said it in the past, in these months we have concluded a discourse that begun last year. We went even further because eight new players arrived, six were planned.
Within a calendar year we changed more than 14 players. This will help the coach to transmit his game to the team as best as possible.
He confirmed Luis Alberto that would not be sold before the end of the month.
He won’t move from here before the end of the window. He’ll play his season with Lazio.
The Lazio sporting director touched on the possible need for a new left back.
Every choice made in this market we shared with the coach. In the case of an exit there will be an arrival, but even so the team is competitive because there’s many options.
Tare spoke about the work carried out with coach Maurizio Sarri.
We shared all the market choices together. We are a competitive team, very young. The average age of the team has been lowered by three years.
Obviously when one makes a lot of changes one needs some time to find the right understanding, but winning helps.
We have a great opportunity in front of a crowd that has turned up in droves to support us. It couldn’t start better than this.
Finally, Tare underlined the team’s hunger and enthusiasm heading into this season.
I’m going by feeling. I see a very hungry team with enthusiasm. Usually when I have had these feelings, important years have come.
We must not look at the others and think about our own goals. I’m confident that Lazio will have a great season.
Luis Alberto did not start in Lazio’s season opener against Bologna but did play a key role in the build-up to Ciro Immobile’s winner, winning back possession and laying the ball off to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who proceeded to deliver the decisive pass.
