As January 1, 2013 approaches, Lazio look set for an extremely busy month of transfer activity. The objective in the summer was to cut down a large squad before acquiring any new faces. Director of sport Igli Tare seemed to struggle in his bid to rid of the deadwood mounting up at Formello.
Stuck with a very large group on his hands, new coach Vladmir Petkovic made it clear that he had no room for a number of the players that were still on Lazio’s books, despite being surplus to requirements.
Arriving back late from pre-season meant that Matuzalem fell out of favour before even taking part in a training session with his new coach. While uncertainty surrounded the Brazilian’s future at first, it has become clear recently that the playmaker will join Genoa on a free transfer when the window opens.
Due to Petkovic’s preference of playing with a lone striker, it has made it very difficult for any of the strike-force to be favoured ahead of top goal-scorer Miroslav Klose. With players such as Sergio Floccari and Libor Kozak unhappy at lack of game-time, it seems a few departures in the strike-force could be imminent.
Veteran striker Tommaso Rocchi looks set for a shock move to Inter, leaving the fans baffled by the clubs decision to let him go. Stuck on 99 Serie A goals for the Biancoceleste, the fans would prefer to see the 35 year old reach the landmark while playing in Rome. Claudio Lotito however seems content enough to grant Rocchi the wish of moving North before retiring. The striker was reportedly requested by Andrea Strammacioni to be ‘vice-Milito’ and the Nerazzurri will reportedly pay Lazio 300,000 euros for his services.
There are a number of players who’s futures remain unsolved going into January. Giuseppe Sculli looks set for a return to Genoa, while Pasquale Foggia is attracting some interest from Dubai, and the lower leagues of Italian football.
The saga between the club and Mobido Diakite looks set to be closed soon as the defender seems ready to sign a new contract with the Biancoceleste. Diakite reportedly demanded a contract extension with a large pay-rise earlier on this season, this seeing the Frenchman frozen out until his Coppa Italia debut two weeks ago. The 25 year old looks ready to agree on a deal worth 800,000 euros per season, and will soon be at the disposal of the coach once again.
Mauro Zarate looks to be eventually on his way out of the club after months of discussion regarding his future. At first the player seemed happy to wait his turn whilst warming the bench for Petkovic. Lately though however, The Argentine has expressed his unhappiness and started training alone. A number of suitors are said to be interested in his signature, such as Genoa and Milan. A number of clubs abroad have also made enquiries after the striker reportedly handed in a transfer request.
Marius Stankevicius, Juan Pablo Carrizo, and Luciano Zauri may all be set to leave Formello in January also, with Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid, and Chievo respectively interested in the three out of favour squad members.
As far as additions go, Lazio’s priority seems to be an understudy to Klose. Many names have been linked with a move to Rome, including Ciro Immobile, Mohammed Abdellaoue, and Sampdoria youngster Mauro Icardi of late.
Rumours emerged recently that Tare had also sounded out Frank Lampard about a move to Rome, but news that LA Galaxy had offered the player a lucrative deal overseas seemed to stop a move to Italy dead in the water.
Club president Claudio Lotito told Radio Radio on Friday that “We planned everything by signing young players who will soon join the main squad and become the envy of many other clubs.” This statement from Lotito could mean that no new players will arrive in January, and that some of the Primavera starlets are ready to make the step up to the senior squad very soon.
The fans won’t be holding their breath about imminent acquisitions to the squad. New faces were expected in the Summer, yet Michael Ciani was the only notable arrival. The Eagles are flying this term, and at this moment in time the priority remains to slash the wage bill. I expect many departures from Formello in the coming month, but only time will tell if Lazio are to welcome anybody into the ranks.
