Sarri Still ‘Dreaming’ of Signing Euro 2024 Winner but Lazio Striker Must Be Sold

Originally posted on The Laziali | By Michel Sakr | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 4:33 PM ET

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is still passionate about recruiting Mikel Oyarzabal, but this deal would require a significant sacrifice.

The 66-year-old was promised a few summer signings upon his return to the club last summer, but these plans went down the drain due to the transfer ban imposed by COVISOC. Therefore, the Italian tactician has been forced to work with virtually the same squad that was at Marco Baroni’s disposal last season.

Nevertheless, Lazio president Claudio Lotito is optimistic about lifting the ban around November, which would allow the club to resume operations as normal in the January transfer window. Therefore, Sarri could finally be united with some of the profiles he requested at the start of the summer.

According to Il Messaggero, the former Napoli and Chelsea boss is still ‘dreaming’ about signing Oyarzabal. The source also reveals that the coach had Giacomo Raspadori and Francesco Pio Esposito on his attacking shortlist, but their arrivals are no longer plausible. On the other hand, acquiring the services of the Spanish international might feasible.

The 28-year-old has been at Real Sociedad since joining the club as a mere child back in 2011. He is considered one of the most iconic players in the club’s history. However, the Spanish side is enduring a horrific start to the campaign, as they currently lie 19th in the LaLiga table. Therefore, the versatile attacker could be tempted to leave in January to boost in World Cup chances.

However, the report insists that even if Lazio manage to unlock their market, their expenditures cannot exceed their incomes. Hence, they will have to sell players to fund any new arrivals, and in Oyarzabal’s case, the main suspect would be Taty Castellanos, who is reportedly available for €30 million and has a host of suitors in the Premier League and LaLiga.

This article first appeared on The Laziali and was syndicated with permission.

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