Lazio could reportedly send Matteo Cancellieri to West Ham United in exchange for German striker Niclas Fullkrug.
Lazio Need a New Striker
Following Sunday’s friendly test in Ascoli, Gennaro Gattuso reiterated the club’s desire to buy a new centre-back and a new striker. However, the identities of new arrivals remain anyone’s guess, as the Biancocelesti have been linked with a plethora of profiles.
Niklas Fullkrug is on Lazio’s Shortlist
In attack, AC Milan wantaway Santiago Gimenez has been identified as the ‘dream’ target, while Benfica’s Franjo Ivanovic became the latest profile to surface on the scene. Nevertheless, Fullkrug’s name continues to pop up in the news.
Fullkrug Coming Off Poor AC Milan Stint
The 33-year-old is a classic centre-forward who made a name for himself in Germany, before earning a big-money switch from Borussia Dortmund to West Ham in the summer of 2024. Taty Castellanos’ arrival in East London pushed the German out of the club last January, so he joined AC Milan on loan. However, he only scored once in 20 appearances.
This summer, Fullkrug returned to West Ham, who are trying to rebuild following their shocking relegation to the Championship at the end of last season. However, the big centre-forward is expected to depart once more. On the other hand, the Hammers are interested in Cancellieri, who could be on his way out of Lazio this summer, as his contract will expire next year.
Lazio & West Ham Could Swap Fullkrug & Matteo Cancellieri
According to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), a swap deal involving Fullkrug and Cancellieri could be brewing, as both clubs would benefit from the double operation. Last month, Celtic were said to be the frontrunners in the race for the Italian winger, but more recent reports claimed that a move to Glasgow is now considered ‘complicated’.
Would Cancellieri Accept a Move to West Ham?
The 24-year-old might be reluctant to join a Championship club, but West Ham’s status and quality should place them as the favorites to earn promotion to the Premier League by the end of the season.
Time to send Paulo to tell him why he needs to be the next great Italian to pull on the claret and sky.
Füllkrug is a pretty good striker. His last season was ruined by injuries. Cancellieri’s contract expires next summer and won’t be renewed. So, in that sense, this could be a workable scenario.
Getting goals is massively important, getting a 33 year old player though that earns in the 4.5million range.
I just don’t believe that’s a thing Lazio should be doing. Getting a player who’s 26 or younger means they hold transfer value. Any player that Lazio signs that holds no transfer value makes it easier to comply with the financial rules.
Beside of not having the opportunity to bank them later.
I understand your point but no one wants to come to Lazio or they are too expensive to buy.
Only loan deals are possible but it will be very difficult to close these kind of deals.
In a world where leaks are common, it’s essential to be quick. Obviously clubs can stall and player managers, but showing a player’s entourage you’re truly interested in him. Lazio often lowball clubs and might be doing the same with players.
Now with Lazio having financial restrictions they need to abide by, this becomes harder.
And you can’t try to get the best deal, if other clubs might any time join in. I’m not in their shoes though, so judging is easier. But spotting what’s going wrong isn’t the hardest.
The logic of offloading Cancellieri makes sense, but for Fullkrug…?
I’d rather see Cancellieri offloaded and Artistico elevated
Yep, you are right! Simply just offload Mateo but do not bring the german instead! Build Ratkov and Artistico in the team and improve our academy from that money for our future!
And renewing Cancellieri?
@Ilyeskev & Fausto.
I’m open to both plans. Lazio has depth on the wing, so getting 5m (if possible), for Cancellieri would be great. If not, then he’s still a good player to have on the bench – especially with Lazio’s injury hidtory.
Renewing him is also okay as there’s the 2027 transfer window which will be more concerning than this one. Renewing him boosts his value, as it wasn’t long ago that Brentford was entertaining a 15m transfer fee for him
Lots of players their contracts are expiring in 2027. Cancellieri a renewal would be smart business I believe. Cataldi until 2029 with perhaps a slight reduction in wages.
Between now and the winter, lots of contracts for 2028 also need to be extended or sell those players. Rovella, Dele Bashiru, Isaksen. While Mussolini if he’s able to establish himself should get an improved 4 years deal anyway. Artistico same story. Even if brought on sometimes as a sub, those players not to be extended. Simply because it will increase their value as well.
If Cancellieri agree for renewing his contract that would be the best I believe! He has that something what definetely worth much more than just 5M EUR!! and unfortunately our team always has a lot of injured players, so if our bench is bigger than its a good option, but who knows what he wants!? If he want to leave then we have to leave him rather then melt the team chemistry with his poor attitude.
I am also believe that Gattuso is able to make a clean head and the best mentality for everybody, and specially for a good-skills player who already has the technics and the main problem is in the head not in the legs. if it would be the other way, and Gattuso will have to teach him how to score instead of the mentality, the whole thing is gonna die…