Guendouzi’s Replacement: Lazio Tracking Everton & USMNT Midfielders

Lazio are still searching the market for a new midfielder, and the latest two names to emerge on their shortlist are Tim Iroegbunam and Tanner Tessmann.

The Biancocelesti sold Matteo Guendouzi to Fenerbahce for €30 million at the start of January, and have yet to sign a direct replacement. Although they brought in the left-footed Kenneth Taylor from Ajax, a right-footed midfielder is still required.

Lazio sporting director missed out on the likes of Alex Toth and Giovanni Fabbian, who instead joined Bournemouth and Fiorentina, respectively. Therefore, the club is now considering new profiles. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Lazio set their sights on Tessmann, a USMNT international with 12 caps to his name.

The 24-year-old started his career in his native Alabama, and then had experiences in Dallas and North Texas, before joining Venezia in 2021. After spending three years in Italian football, he made a move to Olympique Lyonnais in the summer of 2024 for €6 million. Tessmann has now cemented himself as a regular starter in Paulo Fonseca’s lineup. He made 24 appearances this season and scored two goals.

Moreover, Di Marzio reveals Lazio’s interest in Iroegbunam, a 22-year-old English midfielder of Nigerian origins. The Birmingham native is a youth product of West Bromwich Albion, who also had spells at Aston Villa and QPR (on loan), before joining Everton on a deal worth €11 million in 2024. This season, he made 17 appearances in the Premier League, contributing with three assists.

As the journalist explains, Lazio have yet to make an official offer for the Toffees, as they’re expected to sell one of their current midfielders before making a new signing. The main suspect to leave Formello in January remains Reda Belahyane, who has been linked with a return to Hellas Verona, as well as a reunion with Marco Baroni at Torino.