Ajax Defender Is One Step Away From Joining Lazio

Several reliable sources in the Italian press confirm that Lazio are on the verge of securing an agreement with Ajax for Josip Sutalo.

With Oliver Provstgaard and Danilho Doekhi failing to impress in the Coppa Italia defeat against Mantova, and Alessio Romagnoli still facing an uncertain future, the Biancocelesti felt the need to accelerate their search for a new centre-back.

On Wednesday morning, Il Messaggero identified Sutalo as the club’s top target ahead of Standard Liege’s Ibe Hautekiet and Slavia Prague’s Stepan Chaloupek, while ruling out a move for Juve’s Daniele Rugani, who has been offered by intermediaries.

Later in the day, Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla revealed that the negotiations between Lazio and Ajax are now at an advanced stage. The Amsterdam-based giants had originally requested a transfer fee of €12-13 million in addition to bonuses, but they’re seemingly open to loaning the Croatian international with an option to buy, as the Italians don’t possess the resources to buy the player this summer.

Sky Sport Italia correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio believes Sutalo is now one step away from signing for Lazio. He expects the Aquile to pay a loan fee of €3 million, and believes the agreement will include an obligation to buy that will be triggered by the achievement of certain sporting objectives.

For his part, Italian journalist Damiano Er Faina agrees that the deal is close, but insists that Ajax have yet to give the final green light.

Sutalo is a Dinamo Zagreb youth product who climbed his way up the ladder to become a protagonist with the first team. His exploits at his original club earned him a €20 million move to Ajax in the summer of 2023. Over the last three seasons, he made 108 appearances for the Lancers across all competitions. His contract with the Dutch giants will expire in June 2028.

The centre-back is also a pillar for the Croatian national team. Since making his senior debut in 2022, he has gone on to earn 37 caps. He was also part of the World Cup squad, starting in all four games for his country.