Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is still hoping to have Atletico Madrid striker Giacomo Raspadori at his disposal.
Maurizio Sarri Already Wanted Giacomo Raspadori in the Summer
The 25-year-old was one of the names on the 66-year-old shortlist last summer. However, the Biancocelesti were eventually thwarted by the transfer ban, and the Italian international ended up sealing a move from Napoli to the Spanish capital side.
Raspadori Struggling for Revelance at Atletico Madrid
However, Raspadori is struggling for game time under Diego Simeone. He has only earned 309 minutes since his arrival, making 12 appearances (mostly off the bench) across all competitions, while contributing with one goal and two assists.
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Hence, the Sassuolo youth product is said to be unhappy with his status in Madrid, and according to Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), he has already asked his agent to bring him back to Serie A.
Sarri Makes His January Priorities Clear to Lazio
The Roman newspaper adds that Sarri still considers Raspadori the right man to solve his attacking woes. The 66-year-old is also keen on a reunion with his former Napoli pupil Lorenzo Insigne, but he considers the arrival of the Atletico man as his main priority for January, alongside a creative midfielder with similar characteristics to Luis Alberto.
Raspadori is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere in the final third, including as a centre-forward. Hence, Sarri could field him in a similar role to Dries Mertens, a diminutive winger whom he transformed into a false 9, and went on to become Napoli’s all-time leading goalscorer.
How Can Lazio Afford Raspadori
However, the source believes that Lazio won’t be able to land the two-time Scudetto winner unless they sell Taty Castellanos or another player who can generate the required funds, like Gustav Isaksen or Matteo Cancellieri, as the club could be forced to operate on zero-cost parameters due to their shaky accounts.
Sarri to tell them…em bloks dnt know they need to sign a top striker?
Raspadori is a versatile player, he’ll be a very good addition. And obviously, lots younger than Insigne.
Insigne is obviously an awful signing. Not because he’s a terrible player. But his profile is everything Lazio at this point shouldn’t go for. Due to the equity vs debt ratio violations which includes. Lack of assets, squad worth and too high salaries
Insigne
– likely has a high salary
– has no sale value and adds zero to the squad worth
Getting young players in that add value should be the aim, while reducing the wage bill and letting go of old players. While pushing for a new stadium. That’s the way up.
Buying old players or even playing old players this season is an terrible strategy. Yes if you manage Champions league it would be worth it. But that’s highly unlikely. So play young players to increase worth. The club is being horribly led. Also Sarri has a high salary and focuses too much on right now rather than the future. Which is going to be costly.
Raspadori would be a fine signing, at 25 he adds value to the squad while also being a versatile forward. I do question his salary demands, but perhaps a loan construction can be reached.
Castellanos should’ve been sold earlier, never truly believed in his capabilities to be a consistent striker.
Lotito’s firm “I don’t sell” and always trying to get the best deal makes it hard to believe he will be able to sell players. If I were a technical director I wouldn’t even call Lotito, insanely delusional in asking prices for players. Also awful at getting rid of players deemed not good enough. Which he didn’t interfered at all in transfers like owners do in most western competitions.