Lazio defender Patric ‘agrees’ Al-Ittifaq move, Balotelli’s UAE club | OneFootball

Lazio and Patric could be set to end their 11-year spell, with the defender closing on a switch to Al-Ittifaq in the UAE second tier. Il Corriere dello Sport says he has an agreement in principle and the club aim to complete the deal before the window shuts on Monday.

Al-Ittifaq are coached by former Juventus defender Paolo Montero, and their squad features Mario Balotelli and Douglas Costa.

Patric, 33, came through Barcelona’s academy and joined Lazio in 2015. He has made 244 appearances, a total limited by recurring injuries.

Gennaro Gattuso could not count on him in pre-season and omitted him from the Serie A squad list alongside Luca Pellegrini. The club left two places vacant, one later filled by Diogo Leite’s late arrival.

According to Il Messaggero, Lazio want to sell the Spaniard before 30 September to shape their half-year accounts. Those figures will determine whether they can operate in January, with a transfer ban or another net-zero window still a risk.

The same outlet adds that, given his age and a contract to June 2027, Patric is unlikely to bring in a significant fee, but a sale would save €3.5 million in gross wages.

Source: The Laziali

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