Lazio centre-back Alessio Romagnoli has resumed training alongside his teammates at Formello on Monday after his botched transfer to Al-Sadd.
The Alessio Romagnoli January Saga
Disgruntled with club president Claudio Lotito and his broken promises, the 31-year-old was hellbent on joining Roberto Mancini’s squad in Qatar. Thinking he had already been granted safe passage, the defender bid the travelling Lazio supporters farewell at the Via del Mare, only for the club to take him off the market the following day.
That development set the stage for a tense week, filled with twists and turns, and culminated in last-minute negotiations between all parties. The two clubs eventually found an agreement just before Qatar’s transfer deadline, but Romagnoli pulled the trigger by refusing to waive his Lazio salary for the last three months.
Alessio Romagnoli Returns to Lazio Training
According to Il Corriere dello Sport and Il Messaggero, the player returned to training under Maurizio Sarri on Monday. It remains to be seen if the head coach will immediately reinstate the former AC Milan captain in his starting lineup, or keep him on the bench. But given that their next opponent is none other than the in-form Juventus, the 67-year-old could be inclined to play his most reliable defender.
Romagnoli Has ‘Not Future at Lazio’
Although Romagnoli has made himself available once more after skipping training last week, his relationship with Lotito is most probably beyond repair at this stage, especially following the statements made by his agent, Enzo Raiola, who didn’t mince his words when describing the patron’s unsavory negotiation methods.
Lotito asked Alessio to waive his last three months’ salaries. Yes, it’s their modus operandi that makes no sense. And it’s absurd that in January the players still haven’t received three or four salaries.
Asking a player to waive his wages is insane. About a year and a half ago, Romagnoli realized he no longer had a future at Lazio. There was never a renewal offer.
Romagnoli Still Destined to Join Al-Sadd?
The Roman newspapers both confirmed that Al-Sadd have promised Romagnoli to offer him an escape rope once more in the summer. Therefore, the unhappy marriage between the centre-back and his boyhood club is only expected to drag on for a few more months before the inevitable separation.
Lotito it’s time to go. We thank you for helping Lazio get out of financial trouble but now all you are doing is putting them back In trouble. It seems you lost your drive for a contending team but increased your drive to line your own pockets. It has become quite evident that you can’t even manage a lemonade stand.
It is very disappointing to treat a player who was laziale since his childhood and truly wanted to join our ranks from bottom of his heart like this. I only hope that Alessio realize that there is a difference between club, fans and the current hierarchy.
The pain of Alessio feels is understandable. It just like he has been betrayed by his beloved club. But it is Lotito to take the blame, not the club. All Lazio supporters know Lotito is just a cancer to the club, he does not deserve to remain in this position even 1 second more. He is just a goddamned sh!t.
Lets make it clear…lazio didn’t hurt Romagnoli, FUCKIN LOTITO did, the madafucker is so fuckin greedy he has no bussiness running a football club.. he should just be a mafia boss or somtin and leave lazio alone…how do u expect a player to waive 3 months Salary…salary that he worked for? Like WTF…🤨.. LOTITO SELL LAZIO NOW!!!
It is time Lotito, we need to move on. Go and focus on politics, your son is incapable to take your place so as a logic conclusion, sell the club till it still has high value and plays in Serie A.