Roberto Mancini Wants Lazio Stalwart to Join Him in Qatar

Al-Sadd manager Roberto Mancini will try to bolster his ranks with familiar profiles next summer, and one of his targets is Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli.

The Background

The 30-year-old has been defending the Biancocelesti colors since joining the Italian capital side on a free transfer from AC Milan in the summer of 2022. The centre-back was willing to make a financial sacrifice to join his beloved club, and was promised a pay raise in the event of Champions League qualification.

Alessio Romagnoli Unhappy with Broken Lazio Promise

In his first season at Formello, Romagnoli helped Lazio finish second in the Serie A table, but club president Claudio Lotito has yet to fulfil his promise. The defender publicly voiced his frustration with the situation last season, but the matter was once again adjourned due to the club’s transfer ban, which also prohibited the management from handing out new contracts with higher salaries.

Roberto Mancini Orchestrating Romagnoli’s Transfer to Qatar

According to Sky Sport Italia journalist Manuele Baiocchini, Lazio and Romagnoli have yet to find any accord regarding a new contract, as the distance between them remains significant. In the meantime, the former Milan captain has emerged as a target for Al-Sadd, who appointed Mancini as their head coach in November.

Al-Sadd Making Summer Plans for Romagnoli

While a January move remains out of the question, the Qatari giants are already laying the groundwork for the potential summer move. If Romagnoli doesn’t renew his contract, Lazio might be open to selling him later this year to avoid losing him on a free transfer in June 2027.

Since the defender arrived as a free agent, any transfer fee would constitute a capital gain. However, Maurizio Sarri would be loath to lose his defensive stalwart, especially with Mario Gila facing an equally uncertain future.