Lazio Have Verbal Agreement With Bundesliga Defender on Free Summer Transfer | OneFootball

Lazio couldn’t sign Union Berlin defender Diogo Leite this winter, but he’s expected to arrive at Formello in July.

The Background

The 27-year-old is a left-footed centre-back who rose through the ranks of Porto, before joining the German capital side in the summer of 2022. The Portuguese player has now established himself as a regular feature at the back for the Bundesliga club, but his contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Alessio Romagnoli Saga

Last week, Leite was considered Lazio’s favorite candidate to replace Alessio Romagnoli, who was pushing to join Al-Sadd.

The Biancocelesti eventually booked Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, but Romagnoli’s soap opera ended with the latter refusing to waive his wages for the last months, which thwarted his transfer to Qatar. For his part, Rugani is currently finalising a deadline-day move to Fiorentina.

Lazio & Diogo Leite Have an Agreement in Principle

While a January move didn’t materialize, several sources in the Italian media, including Alfredo Pedullà and La Lazio Siamo Noi, believe that the Biancocelesti have already booked Leite for next season. While the two parties didn’t sign any papers, they reached a verbal agreement on a free transfer in July.

Diogo Leite (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Since Romagnoli is still expected to depart next summer, whether to finally sign for Al-Sadd or join any other club, Lazio would need a left-footed central defender. Claudio Lotito and Angelo Fabiani consider Leite the right profile for the role, undoubtedly tempted by the low costs of the operation.

However, the Portuguese has recently sustained an injury that will rule him out of action for one month, so the club must closely monitor his physical condition between now and the end of the season.

Lazio Already Booked Alfonso Pedraza for Next Season

If it all goes according to plan, Leite would become Lazio’s second free agent signing for next summer, as they had already secured a deal for Villarreal’s left-back Alfonso Pedraza.