Lazio president Claudio Lotito was furious when asked about Luis Alberto, making it clear that the midfielder cannot leave for free in the summer.
The 31-year-old Spanish midfielder, who is no stranger to controversy in the Italian capital, again hit the headlines this week after stating his desire to leave the Biancocelesti in the summer, wanting to terminate his contract and part ways after eight years together.
Luis Alberto signed a new long-term contract with Lazio back in October, earning him €4 million net per season and tying him to the club to June 2027. As such, his words have not gone down well with the management, who were not expecting his comments.
Speaking to Adnkronos (via TMW), Lotito was asked about the Luis Alberto situation, where he made Lazio’s position extremely clear ahead of the summer transfer window.
He probably wants to leave for free. But no, he has a four-year contract, he’s a registered player. Let him find the club that want him.
He asked for a renewal last summer, he’s the second highest paid player at Lazio, the contract was signed clearly, he asked for more, he didn’t show up for the training camp, as you will all remember.
And now he came out with this, suddenly and without saying anything to us. If he wants to leave, he has to find a team that can buy him. We are a company listed on the stock exchange, these are things that cause PR and economic damage.
Letting him go on a free transfer from a listed company means impoverishing the assets and I’m not crazy, the shareholders would kill me, and they would be right.
The Biancocelesti president then commented on the reaction of coach Igor Tudor.
Fortunately, he is one of those coaches who doesn’t let anyone influence him. We don’t throw money out the window. Rules are rules, both civil and criminal, and they must be respected.
