Lazio Transfer Market: A Deal Is in Place with the New Striker, but Lotito Is Putting a Halt to Everything

After Maurizio Sarri’s departure, Lazio decided to start fresh with Gennaro Gattuso, and the former national team coach immediately asked Claudio Lotito to sign a new forward. Initially, the club considered Santiago Gimenez of Milan; then a deal was struck for Bamba Dieng, but some issues that emerged during his medical exams caused the transfer to fall through.

In the last few hours, Lazio officials have reached an agreement for Andrea Pinamonti: a contract through 2031 with a higher salary than what he currently earns at Sassuolo. However, there is one obstacle: Claudio Lotito. The Lazio president refuses to budge from his offer of 2.5 million euros plus an 8 million euro buyout clause, while Sassuolo is asking for 12 million.

The gap isn’t huge, but the parties remain at an impasse: Lotito insists on his proposal, pointing out that Pinamonti’s contract expires in 2027, while the Neroverdi have already informed the Biancocelesti president of a clause that would allow the club to extend the striker’s contract by another year and therefore have no intention of negotiating.

Gennaro Gattuso certainly can’t be happy: with the season already underway, he still doesn’t have a starting center forward. Currently, the Calabrian coach must rely on Federico Serra (born in 2006), Boulaye Dia, and Petar Ratkov. Gabriele Artistico, born in 2002, is set to leave, with Frosinone, Hellas Verona, Avellino, and Padova all interested in him.