Lazio have reportedly opted against pursuing Mauro Icardi, who might end up signing for a Premier League club.
Mauro Icardi Wanted Lazio Move
Although the transfer market has closed in Europe, clubs are still able to recruit free agents. So after leaving Galatasaray in June, Icardi has been taking his time to reflect on his options. Recent reports claimed that the Argentine identified Lazio as his preferred destination, offering his services to the Italian capital club.
It was also reported that Lazio president Claudio Lotito was the one pushing for the 33-year-old’s arrival, while sporting director Angelo Fabiani and head coach Gennaro Gattuso weren’t too convinced by the idea.
Why Lazio Decided Not to Sign Icardi
During his appearance on Radio Laziale (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Sky Sport Italia journalist Manuele Baiocchini revealed that the Biancocelesti have chosen to abandon the pursuit of Icardi after internal discussions due to sporting, financial, and even disciplinary reasons related to the player’s past (particularly at Inter Milan).
I don’t see any chance of Mauro Icardi wearing the Lazio shirt. I think the situation is over: Lazio has decided not to proceed. The player had expressed his willingness to start negotiations with Lazio to finalize the transfer.
From what I understand, the parties were close. The increased labor costs have slowed Lazio down, and Gattuso’s considerations also impeded the deal. Signing a contract as important as Icardi’s could be problematic in view of the January transfer window.
Lazio could have offered a one-year contract with an easy option to extend it for a second. And Icardi was fine with that. Gattuso, however, needs something else for his game. With Pinamonti and Noslin, he doesn’t want to overload the attack. Added to this is Icardi’s past, even though from what I’m told he’s a mature player today.
Spurs & Everton Interested in Icardi
On a related note, Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina reported on Wednesday that Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are both tracking Icardi.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs have yet to score a league goal after four Premier League rounds. As for the Toffees, they desperately need another centre-forward after sending Beto to Fiorentina while Folarin Balogun’s deadline-day transfer collapsed due to a failed medical.
I agreed to this decision.
We need to pay a lot of money in next several years for this summer’s signings. And I don’t want to see that Lotito sells the promissing player like Taylor.
I disagree.
Icardi is a proven ruthless penalty box finisher. Exactly what we wish from Pinamonti and Noslin we already know can not do. He is agile and more winger or support striker with the occasional flashy goal and has short pace bursts. Technical but not a target man and not best at hold up (Pinamonti has none of these so far, but will not put pressure on him by judging after 2 matches coz he needs a little time to adapt).
As for the financial, making or not making Europe is what will pay for all and with our injury history having only one striker with a false nine back up even with Only Serie A is not enough.
He is mature now, not old coz 33 in today’s football is not old unless your main attribute is running , you might slightly slow down by 33 but Icardi is not basing anything on speed which he doesn’t by the way lack, he is just not elite there but he is world class in anticipation, finishing, football intelligence and has spite and hunger if he wants to come here.
Come on I cannot believe I once agree with Lotito…
Fabiani pretend young signing market is already a phone so why not get this still closest to superstar we would have since Ciro, SMS or il magi…
Gattuso will regret it 🙁
It’s ironic that we signed Pinamonti exactly because Icardi want to wait for the best option back then, and that signing essentially blocked Icardi’s transfer here.
I’d sign Icardi to a 1+1 over that mediocre Pinamonti any day, but it’s too late, we don’t have the budget to sign Icardi now. It’s a lose-lose for Lazio and Icardi, but given his history in making decision we can’t be surprised
I tend to agree with Burky, he made a really really good case. What I am afraid most of is injuries and we are not lucky with them and in that moment we will blame that we did not sign him…