Lazio January Transfer Window Recap: The Chaotic Revamp

While Maurizio Sarri rued the transfer ban that prevented Lazio from bolstering the squad last summer, one might wonder if he wished the market were still blocked for January.

The head coach was eagerly anticipating the arrival of timely reinforcement. But while five new first-team signings landed at Formello, the 67-year-old would argue he had a stronger squad at his disposal in December.

So let’s recap the transfer business conducted by Lazio during the winter transfer window department by department.

While the fanbase was overall displeased by Christos Mandas’ departure, at least Claudio Lotito and Sarri were in agreement for a change. The head coach didn’t give the Greek custodian a single minute in Serie A this season, preferring to rely on his old lieutenant Ivan Provedel, while the hierarchy was all too happy to register massive capital gains on a player who cost them only €1 million in 2023.

Lazio will be hoping that the promising yet unsung Edoardo Motta enjoys a similar rise to prominence in the capital.

In: Edoardo Motta (permanent transfer from Reggiana for €1m)

Out: Christos Mandas (on loan for €2.5m with an option to buy for €17.5m to Bournemouth)

By the end of the transfer market, the defensive department remained intact, but only after witnessing what was probably the most dramatic soap opera of the entire Serie A Mercato.

Of course, we’re talking about Alessio Romagnoli’s botched move to Al-Sadd (you can read all about it here), which unfolded with the player and Lazio extending their unhappy marriage, at least until the summer.

The Biancocelesti have seemingly found themselves a replacement in Diogo Leite, who could join for free in the summer, but the club will be keeping a close eye on his condition following his recent injury. Moreover, Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza has reportedly signed for next season as well.

The 29-year-old Spaniard will most likely replace Nuno Tavares, who was linked with Besiktas and several others throughout the January window, but ended up staying at Sarri’s court.

In: Alfonso Pedraza (unofficial free transfer from Villarreal in July), Diogo Leite (unofficial free transfer from Union Berlin in July)

Out: None

Matteo Guendouzi was definitely the departure that hurt Sarri the most (and arguably the most dramatic from a human perspective). The Biancocelesti were quick to seal a deal for Kenneth Taylor, but the manager insisted that the left-footed Dutchman was supposed to complement the French workhorse rather than replace him.

Sarri thus awaited the arrival of a new right-footed box-to-box midfielder. The Biancocelesti made a half-hearted attempt to sign Davide Frattesi, but Inter Milan swiftly closed the door. While the capital side also snapped up exciting 19-year-old Polish playmaker Adrian Przyborek, Sarri remains displeased by the club’s failure to properly replace Guendouzi.

In: Kenneth Taylor (permanent transfer from Ajax for €15m plus €3m in bonuses), Adrian Przyborek (permament transfer from Pogon for €4.5m plus €1.5m in bonuses)

Out: Matteo Guendouzi (permanent transfer to Fenerbahce for €27 million), Matias Vecino (free transfer to Celta Vigo

While Taty Castellanos wasn’t necessarily Sarri’s Cup of Tea, he was his first-choice centre-forward during the first half of the season, and his departure has left a significant hole up front, despite the arrival of two new attackers.

With the Argentine off to West Ham United, Lazio replaced him with a classic No.9 in Petar Ratkov, a 22-year-old Serbian from RB Salzburg. However, the manager opted keep the latter on the bench last Friday against Genoa, and give Daniel Maldini his full debut as a striker.

The versatile Italian can play in almost any role in the final third, so it remains to be seen if he’ll show enough to earn a permanent switch at the end of the season. The Aquile have the obligation to buy the Atalanta loanee in June if they qualify for Europe, but they can also exercise their option to purchase his contract in any case.

In: Petar Ratkov (permanent transfer from RB Salzburg for €13m), Daniel Maldini (on loan from Atalanta for €1m with an obligation to buy for €13m).

Out: Taty Castellanos (permanent transfer to West Ham for €29 million).