The swap deal between Lazio defender Mario Gila and Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca could see the light, with all parties pushing in the same direction.
Mario Gila All Set to Leave Lazio
The Spanish defender is apparently on his way out of the Italian capital side, as his contract will expire in June 2027. According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Lazio president Claudio Lotito and Co. have launched a new attempt to extend the deal, but their approach was swiftly rejected by the player and his entourage, who wants out.
As the source explains, the Lazio patron was defiant at first, setting his asking price at €30 million. However, he has decided to adopt a more lenient approach, especially with the club restricted to a net-zero transfer market.
Napoli Offer Lorenzo Lucca in Exchange for Gila
Over the past few weeks, Napoli have emerged as the ultimate favorites to seal the deal. The Partenopei are willing to add a player in exchange to reduce the cost. While Rafa Marin was suggested as a like-for-like replacement, Lucca remains the most concrete option, especially with Gennaro Gattuso requesting a new striker.
The 25-year-old joined Napoli last summer on a €35 million transfer from Udinese. However, he struggled for playing time at the Stadio Maradona, with Antonio Conte favoring Rasmus Hojlund. The Italian spent the second half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest, but he only scored a single goal for the club.
Lazio’s Asking Price & Real Madrid’s Cut
Pedulla reveals that Lazio are willing to sell Gila for €20 million plus the services of Lucca on loan for next season, in addition to an option to buy the striker. It should be noted that Real Madrid will receive 50% of the profit registered by the Aquile from the defender’s sale. At this stage, it remains unclear if the Partenopei would consent to these terms.
Exchanging Lucca for Gila makes way more sense to me.
20m + Lucca is solid. His salary is low as well which helps matters. Hopefully Gattuso can manage 2 target men well in Ratkov and Lucca.
HUGE blow for Napoli… 35m for Lucca to play 16 games for them and score 1 goal and are now giving him away.
That isn’t the deal though, Lazio will have an option to buy. Which might be reduced significantly like 15 million. But still Lazio next season would be able to trigger it. Hence why I don’t think that’s a great deal. As still part of the transfersum will go to Real. While if they just swap players, that isn’t the case. If Lucca does become a success, he will be worth far more than the perhaps 10 million Lazio gets out of the Gila deal. Is there a chance at a flop? Of course but that’s always there. Trading a player with a 1 year deal left, with 50% of the profit going to his former club. For a player that’s worth more, great deal in Lazio’s situation.
I agree with what you said. That is what we should push for and none of the two clubs have the upper hand, as in Napoli don’t need Luca and Lazio are on a difficult position on losing Gila next year on free plus him wanting to join Napoli. I believe the fairest for everyone might be a clean swao
It’s an option to buy, not an obligation. If Lazio can manage it, they should negotiate the obligation clause very carefully as they won’t be able to afford it. Not to mention they just spent 13m on the Serbian version 6 months ago.
With one huge difference though, Lucca has Serie A experience and his native language is Italian. He also has more muscle mass this all not to say I don’t believe the Serbian needs a shot to prove himself
@Burky, yes, on the surface, I would choose Lucca over Ratkov 10 times out of 10. However, Lazio won’t be able to afford Lucca beyond this season without sacrificing multiple squad members to keep him, or sell their most prized assets in Taylor or Rovella…
They need to be very careful on what triggers the obligation clause.