AC Milan and Lazio could collaborate once more on the market before the end of the summer, trading Nuno Tavares and Fikayo Tomori.
The Background
The Biancocelesti have already sold Mario Gila to the Rossoneri last month for €30 million. This was followed by the less prestigious transfer of young left-back Lorenzo Calvani, who made the same switch as the Spanish defender. But based on the latest rumors in the Italian media, two other transfers could materialize in the coming days.
Lazio & Milan Reflecting on Tavares & Tomori Swap
According to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), a swap involving Tomori and Tavares could take shape, as it would suit all parties. Lazio are currently on the lookout for a new centre-back, while Tomori has been placed on the market at the orders of Milan head coach Ruben Amorim, who decided to omit him from his plans alongside Christopher Nkunku and Youssouf Fofana.
Arsenal Would Receive a Profit
As for Tavares, he has seemingly lost his starting berth to new Lazio signing Alfonso Pedraza. The Biancocelesti are planning to sell either the Portuguese left-back or Luca Pellegrini, but offloading the former Arsenal star would be the more financially rewarding deal. Claudio Lotito has set his asking price at €20 million, but the Gunners would receive 40% of the transfer fee thanks to a sell-on clause.
The Roman newspaper notes that this remains a complicated operation, but the Biancocelesti believe they have a chance to land Tomori, whose contract will expire next year, chiefly thanks to Milan’s interest in Tavares.
Comparing Tavares & Tomori’s Salaries
It should be noted that the two players are on relatively similar gross wages (circa €4.5 million). However, Tomori earns €3.5 million per year, taking advantage of the Growth Decree, which was still in effect when he made the move from Chelsea in January 2021. On the other hand, Tavares’ net salary is €2.5 million, as that rule had been abolished by the time he arrived in Italy in the summer of 2024.
This sheds Nuno’s sell-on fee, while also keeping the squad as whole as possible.
With Frattesi’s transfer, Lazio is financially trapped as they’re running out of assets to sell… They have 6-7m in TOTAL to spend including salaries, and transfer fees.
If this swap happens, then you’re left with 5-6m as Tomori earns a higher wage than Nuno.
Lazio blundered by not hiring Sogliano. They’re in desperate need of a proper money manager, and are running out of players to pawn off…
Sums it up well I believe.