Lazio have reportedly secured the services of Croatian defender Josip Sutalo after reaching a full accord with Ajax.
The Background
This has been an eventful day for the Biancocelesti, who were supposed to complete the signing of Senegalese striker Bamba Dieng on a free transfer, but the deal has been called off due to a failed medical. But while Claudio Lotito and Angelo Fabiani are back to square one on the attacking front, they have apparently solved their defensive dilemma.
Lazio Secure Josip Sutalo Agreement With Ajax
According to multiple sources in the Italian media, including Gianluca Di Marzio, Fabrizio Romano, and Damiano Er Faina, Lazio and Ajax have reached a final agreement on Sutalo’s transfer. The 26-year-old will join the Italian capital side on an initial loan for €3 million with an option to buy set at €7.5 million, while the Amsterdam-based giants would receive a 10% cut in case of a future resale.
🚨🔵⚪️ Lazio agree deal in principle to sign Josip Šutalo from Ajax, here we go! 🇭🇷
€3m loan fee plus €7.5m buy option clause, add-ons and also 10% sell-on clause. pic.twitter.com/FfhJrV0d0o
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2026
Sutalo Career Path & Ajax Stats
Sutalo is a Dynamo Zagreb youth product who climbed his way up the ranks to become a stalwart for both club and country. In 2023, he earned a €20 million move to Ajax and went on to make 108 appearances for the Dutch club.
Lazio’s Current Defensive Options
The Croatian international will join a centre-back department that includes Oliver Provstgaard and fellow new signing Danilho Doekhi, while Alessio Romagnoli’s fate remains undecided, and Patric and Samuel Gigot are dealing with career-threatening long-term injuries.
Therefore, Sutalo’s arrival will be crucial for Gennaro Gattuso’s plans, with many considering him a worthy replacement for Mario Gila, who was sold to AC Milan last month.
Lazio is loaning a player that currently is injured, who got injured in may returned to training in june was perhaps 2-3 weeks somewhat fit again. To get injured again and being out now for a month. So tactically he needs to get integrated into the squad, but after he has recovered he needs to regain his fitness first likely as well. Which isn’t an ideal start at all.
Spoke to several Ajax supporters, as I live in Amsterdam. Those I spoke to, mostly didn’t mind it one bit that he has left their team. Their arguments:
– citing an inability to play with distance in his back.
– injury prone
– wage vs quality
On the other hand, if Lazio would play compact football, he could be a force was also said. Which I don’t think Gattuso wants to do.
A fee of 3 million + 7.5million option to buy, could work out. The 10% sell on fee isn’t terrible either. If he plays well, 20-25 million wouldn’t be entirely unrealistic for a key player of the Croatia squad.
This is what I’ve heard as well. I spoke with an Ajax supporter, and he felt Sutalo would be best suited for Sarri’s system.
I’m not sure what type of system Gattuso will play. He’s tried 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and there’s been talk of a 3-5-2 that merges into a 5-3-2 when possession is lost.
His best trait for Lazio’s backline is his pace. From what I heard, he’s quick which Provstgaard and Doekhi severely lack.
Anyone here has seen him play a lot?