Maurizio Sarri’s Decision Could Push Lazio Star Towards Wolves

ROME, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri looks on during the SS Lazio training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against SS Lazio and Bayern Munchen at Formello sport centre on February 13, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Wolves have received a boost in their attempts to sign their longtime target, Christos Mandas, who has been made available by Lazio.

The Background

As it’s been well-illustrated over the past few days, the Italian capital club has been prevented from making any signings this summer after failing to balance their books based on their most recent financial report. Nevertheless, they’re still allowed to sell players.

Lazio Determined to Keep the Squad’s Core

Lazio president Claudio Lotito and the club’s sporting director Angelo Fabiani have both insisted that they intend to keep their key stars. However, they noted that the squad must be trimmed from 30 to 20 players, especially in the absence of European football.

Christos Mandas
Christos Mandas (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With Lazio playing only once per week, there is only room for one main goalkeeper. Hence, the club is expected to sell either Mandas or Ivan Provedel. The two custodians have been vying for the No.1 role, with the Greek usurping the more experienced Italian in recent months.

Maurizio Sarri Names Ivan Provedel as His No.1

But according to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Maurizio Sarri has decided to overturn Marco Baroni’s decision, and thus restore his tried-and-trusted Provedel as his first choice between the sticks. Therefore, Mandas will be allowed to leave, which could be music to the ears of Wolverhampton, who have been pursuing the 23-year-old since last summer.

Wolves Still Keen to Sign Mandas

The Italian newspaper claims that Wolves are still interested in the Greece international, while Lazio will seize the opportunity to register sizable capital gains from a player who cost them just over €1 million two years ago. Hence, it remains to be seen if the stars will finally line up for Mandas and the Premier League boys.

Tags Christos Mandas Ivan Provedel Lazio Mandas Maurizio Sarri Provedel Sarri Serie A Woles wolverhampton wanderers

5 Comments

  1. This was what I was so scared about.. provedel is done for, u can’t be selling mandas, half way through the season it would be clear the goalkeeper is our main problem, then we would now be In the market for a new goalkeeper..

  2. That is ridiculous!! Last season Provedel’s save ratio was around 58%. Almost every other shot on goal ended in his net. I still remember his face depression after each goal… Mandas on the other hand kept his save ratio over 80%!!

  3. How can you make a decision on something so important if you haven’t even seen them train at least? Did Sarri not watch highlights of last season? Things have changed and Prpvedel is not the same anymore.

  4. Provedel should be used only as jolly joker, he can play as emergency ball on in the extra time, to score with a header, like he did against Atletico Madrid.

  5. If by a miracle there would be money injected by Lotito, can this ban be lifted or until January market Lazio will not be allowed to buy anyone, irrelevant if he acts? Does anyone know?

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