With the risk of a January ban becoming increasingly concrete, Lazio might decide to add another player to their ranks while they still can, reportedly setting their sights on Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Why Lazio Are Bracing Themselves for Another Transfer Ban
The Biancocelesti will be expected to hand their half-yearly financial report to the commission that oversees the accounts of the Serie A clubs before November 30. This report will cover the period from April 1 to September 30. The commission will study Lazio’s numbers and decide whether to give them the license to operate on the market in January.
At this stage, most sources believe the Italian capital club won’t be able to meet the required labour cost threshold of 0.7, as they’re expected to register circa 0.82. This figure certainly won’t be enough for Lazio to operate freely on the market, so they risk a transfer ban, similar to the summer of 2025, or at least a net-zero restriction, like the summer of 2026.
Why Lazio Are in a Rush to Sign Free Agents
According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, the management could thus seize the opportunity to bolster their squad while they still can. Since the transfer market is currently closed, Lazio can only sign players on free transfers, so Angelo Fabiani and company continue to track free agents. It should be noted that the club left a vacant spot on the Serie A squad list after omitting Luca Pellegrini.
Lazio Set Sights on Abdoulaye Doucoure
The source adds that Lazio are studying a move for Doucoure, a box-to-box midfielder renowned for his time in England. The 33-year-old is a youth product of Stade Rennais who moved to Watford in 2016. After four years with the Londoners, he joined Everton in 2020 and went on to cement himself as a fan favourite at Goodison Park.
In the summer of 2025, the Malian signed for Saudi Pro League club NEOM, but he ended his experience after a solitary year, so he’s been unattached since July.
Yep, Doucoure was a solid midfielder, very good player, Premier League prooved. But I really doubt that he wants more than a contract, he is not in a mood for football anymore.
Finding a mutual agreement to end Pellegrini’s contract, seems to me to be a way better choice. Rather than showing the commission you didn’t only failed to comply but made it worse when you realised you wouldn’t make it.
They might have tried though and Pellegrini wasn’t willing, you need like the say ‘two to tango’ after all.
Lazio could’ve made it as well.