Editorial

Goal Lazio: Transfer Spotlight - A Look At Lazio's Potential Winter Signings

As Davide Ballardini’s fragile squad continue to delude with a string of unconvincing performances, Goal.com's Lazio expert Stefano Federici takes a closer look at who could help rescue the sinking ship...

Nov 19, 2009 1:15:36 PM

FC Twente striker Marko Arnautovic is being tipped to join Inter according to Italian reports

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FC Twente striker Marko Arnautovic is being tipped to join Inter according to Italian reports

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After securing just 11 points from the opening 12 rounds of the Serie A championship, things certainly haven’t been going to plan for the Biancocelesti who had harboured Champions League ambitions before the start of the season. Following a superb opening month, Lazio soon had a rude awakening as they came to terms with the added demands of playing on the continent in the Europa League.

With a less than satisfactory summer transfer campaign that left the side severely under-equipped to deal with the strains of three competitions, club patron Claudio Lotito now looks set for a busy winter break as he looks to bolster the fragile squad. Just as in 2008 when the Biancocelesti brought in a quartet of reinforcements - after having only amassed a meagre 18 points by Christmas – it looks likely that the fiery chief will again address more than one department in a bid to kick-start the Aquile’s fledging season.

As the rumour mill starts to churn with potential signings that could be making their way to Formello, we take a closer look at who could really make the difference and restore some much needed stability to Ballardini’s squad.

Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa)

The 23-year-old defender hasn’t been used so regularly by Gasperini this term - following the summer arrival of Emiliano Moretti from Valencia during the summer. After making an impressive rise to stardom last season with a string of mature performances in the Grifoni backline, the Neapolitan youngster certainly has what it takes to become a future defensive leader.

Reports of a possible exchange deal for Cristian Ledesma have recently surfaced after the Rossoblu voiced an interest for Lazio’s want-away midfielder.

“We like the Argentine, but negotiating with Lotito isn’t easy,” declared Enrico Preziosi to RadioRadio on Monday morning.

“He is an important player but to close a deal we must find accordance from both parties,” concluded the Genoa president.

Given the Biancocelesti’s ongoing defensive issues, such a switch would certainly go a long way to restoring some stability at the back. Were he to combine with Modibo Diakite in the Lazio rearguard, the pair could form a very young partnership - full of future potential.

The Italian Is A Rising Star

Gaetano D’Agostino (Udinese)

The Palermo-born midfielder was courted over the summer months by Lotito but the Lazio patron was unable to table a concrete offer having failed to offload Ledesma elsewhere. Should the Argentine pack his bags this winter, ‘D’Ago’ would provide the perfect reinforcement for the Biancocelesti’s fragile midfield.

Despite a brief spell at Roma during his early years, the 27-year-old would be welcomed with open arms at Formello given his ability to link defence with attack. Given this is an area where the Aquile have struggled in recent seasons; such a transfer could potentially prove a major coup for the Biancocelesti. Nevertheless, considering the manner in which his proposed move to Juventus fell through during the summer, it remains to be seen whether Lotito has enough funds to lure Udinese into making a sale this time around.

D'Ago Has A History With Roma

Marko Arnautovic (Inter/Twente)

After finally completing a long-winded loan move to Inter this summer, the Austrian has been given little chance to make an impact following his return from a foot injury. With the Nerazzurri having publicly voiced their interest in Lazio’s Goran Pandev, the Aquilotti are hoping to tempt the youngster to the capital as they look to bolster the forward line.

With just nine goals so far this term Lazio are in desperate need of a new approach up top and Arnautovic could prove just what Ballardini is looking for. Nevertheless, such a move could prove complex given the 20-year-old is not owned by the Beneamata. In order to lure him to Formello, the Biancocelesti will have to re-negotiate his loan conditions with former club Twente, and only then can a move be completed.

“I am aware that he wants to stay at Inter to fight for a place in the starting XI,” declared Arnautovic’s agent to Il Tempo.

“I understand the boy would be given more space at Lazio, but for now he is happy to prove himself with the Nerazzurri. At the moment this is the situation, but who knows what might happen down the line.”

It therefore looks likely that coach Jose Mourinho will have the final say on a possible switch to the capital. Should ‘The Special One’ push through his demands for Pandev, Arnautovic will almost certainly find himself surplus to requirements and will have to re-assess his options.

Stefano Federici, Goal.com

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