Croatian Striker Is One Step Away Form Lazio After Agreement With Benfica | OneFootball

Lazio are closing in on signing Benfica striker Franjo Ivanovic, as all parties are seemingly pushing in the same direction.

Peter Ratkov Heading to Dynamo Moscow?

Over the past 24 hours or so, the Biancocelesti have been negotiating with Dynamo Moscow, who are hellbent on signing Petar Ratkov. The Russians have reportedly raised their offer to €18 million, so Lazio are now tempted to sell the 22-year-old Serbian whom they bought for €13 million in January, but failed to open his goal-scoring account last season under Maurizio Sarri.

Nevertheless, the Aquile cannot relinquish Ratkov before guaranteeing the arrival of a replacement, hence why they’ve been simultanously working on signing a new centre-forward. In recent hours, Ivanovic emerged as the most viable choice. The Croatian only joined Benfica last summer, but hasn’t been able to lock down a starting role.

Benfica Agrees to Loan Franjo Ivanovic to Lazio

Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla had reported on Thursday that Ivanovic is open to joining Lazio. And now, the transfer market expert reveals that Benfica are open to loaning out the 22-year-old with an option to buy, which has been Claudio Lotito’s formula of choice this summer.

Pedulla insists that we haven’t reached the finish line just yet, but Friday has certainly been a fruitful day for Lazio on this particular track, especially following the 8 pm (CET) call with the Portuguese giants.

La Lazio Siamo Noi also confirms the news, revealing that the Aquile have overtaken Real Betis in the race for the Croatian striker. For his part, Sky Sport Italia correspondent Gianluca Di Marzio believes Lazio and Benfica have an agreement, but it is up to Ivanovic to decide between the Italian capital club and Lens, who are offering the player an alternative route.

Lazio Continue to Keep Tabs on Andrea Pinamonti

Meanwhile, all sources agree that Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti is the main alternative should Lazio miss out on Ivanovic, who is, by all accounts, the most plausible signing for the Aquile.