Lotito: ‘Lazio transfer embargo unfair, I turned down huge offers’ up to 40m

Claudio Lotito owner and president of S.S Lazio celebrates with supporters at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg between Lazio and Bayern Munich at the Olympic stadium on February 14, 2024 in Rome. Lazio won 1-0. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists the transfer embargo is ‘unfair’ and he rejected offers for Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Mario Gila, Mattia Zaccagni, Nuno Tavares, Gustav Isaksen and Alessio Romagnoli.

The club was put into turmoil over the last week when it became apparent that coach Maurizio Sarri wasn’t entirely aware of the extent of their financial situation when he accepted the job.

They failed three different financial health parameters in March, so were placed under a transfer embargo unless fresh capital is injected into their coffers, something that Lotito seems unwilling to do.

“We cannot continue in football with these regulations,” Lotito told Il Messaggero newspaper.

“It does not reflect the situation of the club in this current moment, so the transfer embargo is unfair. If I decide to make new signings, then I will increase the capital, but it would be senseless because Lazio do not need fresh capital nor is it a problem with the players.

“At most, we might buy someone in January, but that’s not the problem.”

Lotito insists Lazio finances are healthy

The issue that has affected Lazio for a while is the liquidity index, which he feels is not fair because a club with huge debts can have a better credit score than one with no debt and a relative lack of easily accessible funds.

This is why the President is adamant he has no need to dismantle the squad by selling off their best players, although it might not be reassuring for Sarri if the coach wants to mould this team to his vision.

“We don’t need to sell our best players, nor to buy any others. If anything, we should whittle down the squad, because having 30 players on our books for one competition is too many,” continued Lotito.

“I was offered €40m for Castellanos, the same for Rovella, Gila and Zaccagni. Then €35m for Tavares, €25m for Isaksen and €15m for Romagnoli. But I don’t want to dismantle the team.”

Lazio have agreed one big sale, with Loum Tchaouna heading to Burnley for €14m plus €3m in bonuses, but that is because he was not part of their plans anyway.

Sarri was frustrated at the lack of clarity until a crisis meeting, but again Lotito maintains there is no problem.

“Sarri is fired up, he is a good person. We are both accustomed to honouring the commitments we make. Besides, coming from a banking background, he knows that Lazio are a solid and healthy business.”