Done Deal – Lazio Agree to Sell Alessio Romagnoli to Longtimer Suitors

Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli has finally been given the green light to join Al-Sadd, putting an end to a six-month transfer saga.

The January Soap Opera

The Qatari giants were on the cusp of buying the 31-year-old in January, but Claudio Lotito’s last-ditch requests sabotaged the operation. The Lazio patron reportedly asked Romagnoli to give up three months of his salary, but the latter refused out of principle, as he was already irritated with the patron’s broken promises.

Nevertheless, Al-Sadd had assured the former AC Milan captain that they would come again in the summer, and have indeed kept their word.

Al-Sadd & Lazio Reach a Deal for Alessio Romagnoli

According to several top sources in the Italian press, including Sky Sport Italia and Alfredo Pedulla, all parties have reached an agreement over the transfer. While Lazio would have pocketed around €8 million in January, they have reportedly accepted a transfer fee worth €3 million, as the player’s contract will expire in a year.

For their part, Al-Sadd and Romagnoli already had an accord on personal terms, and it remained intact. The defender is expected to sign a three-year contract that will guarantee him a yearly salary of €6 million.

Romagnoli’s Sour Exit

Despite starting his career at Roma, Romagnoli is a lifelong Lazio supporter who finally fulfilled his dream to play for the Biancocelesti by sealing a free transfer from Milan in the summer of 2022. The centre-back was an undisputed starter for the club over the past four years, and arguably Lazio’s best player in 2025/26, but his strained rapport with Lotito and the hierarchy prompted his exit.

Romagnoli’s main sponsor in Qatar has been Al-Sadd’s head coach Roberto Mancini, but the latter’s future remains uncertain, with some reports identifying him as a serious candidate for the vacant Italy role.