Lazio and Ajax ‘reach agreement’ on Josip Sutalo, loan fee and option outlined | OneFootball

Lazio have reportedly struck a deal with Ajax to sign Croatian defender Josip Sutalo. Italian media reports, including from Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, claim the clubs have reached a full agreement.

It capped a turbulent day for the Biancocelesti, with a planned free transfer for Bamba Dieng scrapped after a failed medical. Claudio Lotito and Angelo Fabiani are back to square one in attack, though the defensive issue appears addressed.

Sutalo will join on an initial loan for €3 million with an option to buy at €7.5 million. Ajax would also receive 10% of any future resale.

A Dynamo Zagreb academy product, the 26-year-old earned a €20 million move to Ajax in 2023 and has made 108 appearances for the Dutch club. He rose through the ranks to become a mainstay for club and country.

He will add to a centre-back group featuring Oliver Provstgaard and fellow newcomer Danilho Doekhi. Alessio Romagnoli’s future remains uncertain, and Patric and Samuel Gigot are dealing with long-term, potentially career-threatening injuries.

Sutalo’s arrival is viewed as important for Gennaro Gattuso’s plans, with many seeing him as a suitable replacement for Mario Gila, sold to AC Milan last month.

Source: The Laziali

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”