Lazio are reportedly close to signing outgoing Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli on a free transfer at the end of the season. Corresponding Calciomercatothat Biancocelesti have started talks with the defender’s representatives after extension talks with the Rossoneri stalled.
Romagnoli has entered the final months of his contract at the San Siro. Although the 27-year-old was keen to renew his contract, Milan refused to meet his salary demands. That Rossoneri Reportedly unwilling to go beyond their initial offer of €2.8m a year.
However, Romagnoli has already deemed the club’s opening offer insufficient. With Milan not intending to increase their offer, the Italy centre-back could be leaving Lombardy after seven years.
Lazio are ready to step in and bring the ex-Roma star back to the Stadio Olimpico in the upcoming transfer window. Talks between the parties are in full swing, with the Biancocelesti To identify Milan’s longtime confidant as the perfect long-term replacement for the wanton Luiz Felipe.
Like Romagnoli, Felipe will become a free agent in the summer after rejecting Lazio’s offer to extend his stay in the country’s capital. Several clubs, including Inter and Real Betis, want to sign the Brazilian.
With Felipe’s imminent departure threatening head coach Maurizio Sarri with a lack of reliable options in defence, Romagnoli could fill the gap. The Italian star will be part of Stefano Pioli’s matchday squad when Milan take on Lazio in Saturday’s Serie A top-six.
But Romagnoli has lost his place in the starting XI and is unlikely to get a rare start in such an important game for Milan. Indeed, Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori would forge a defensive partnership that has been rock-solid in recent Serie A action.
