Following a disastrously quiet summer, Lazio are expected to resume their transfer activities in January once they lift the ban imposed by COVISOC.
After failing to meet the required parameters, the club was prevented from signing any new players in the summer. This decision had calamitous repercussions, as the Biancocelesti were forced to watch all of their rivals strengthen their squads, while Maurizio Sarri’s team remained virtually intact.
Therefore, Lazio’s campaign was impeded from the get-go, as the most reliable bookmakers in sports betting were quick to rule them out of the race for the Champions League. While the Aquile’s results have improved lately, they remain eight points adrift from their arch-rivals Roma in fourth place.
Therefore, January additions will be absolutely essential to boost Lazio’s chances of finishing in the European zone, as Sarri’s squad has been lagging behind both in terms of quality and depth. So let’s take a closer look at the playing positions that Claudio Lotito and his sporting director, Angelo Fabiani, are expected to address next month.
Lazio Priorities
First, we will begin with the additions that are considered non-negotiable in Sarri’s book. In other words, these are the roles that Lazio MUST address.
Box-to-Box Midfielder
Sarri has been lamenting the lack of creativity, goals and technical skills in the middle of the park. While Toma Basic’s resurgence has been a delightful surprise, it remains insufficient. Hence, the club needs to replace either Fisayo Dele-Bashiru or Reda Belahyane with a new midfielder who has an eye for goal.
Options: Ivan Ilic, Lazar Samardzic, Marco Brescianini.
Left Winger
With Mattia Zaccagni serving a one-match ban against Cremonese, the lack of a natural alternative has been exposed. Sarri has been pushing for a reunion with his old Napoli favourite Lorenzo Insigne, who is available on a free transfer, and some reports claim the latter has already agreed personal terms with Lazio.
Options: Lorenzo Insigne, Daniel Maldini
Potential Additions to Lazio Squad
These are the roles that Lazio would only address if one of their players leaves, thus creating a vacancy in the squad.
Goalkeeper
With Ivan Provedel cementing himself as Sarri’s ultimate first choice, Christos Mandas is seeking a January move. The Greek has several suitors in Serie A, including Genoa, who are offering Nicola Leali as a replacement.
Options: Nicola Leali, Filip Stankovic
Left-Back
With Nuno Tavares heavily linked with a move to Saudi giants Al-Ittihad, Lazio will need a left-back to alternate with Luca Pellegrini. Out-of-contract Genoa man Aaron Martin remains the favorite for the role.
Options: Aaron Martin, Luca Netz
Striker
Taty Castellanos might be Lazio’s first-choice striker, but the club would be willing to sacrifice him for the right offer. In this case, Sarri will request a replacement who is more suited to his playing style, which could lead to two LaLiga profiles.
Options: Giacomo Raspadori, Mikel Oyarzabal
