Lazio Identify Scotland U21 Midfielder as Ivan Ilic Alternative | OneFootball

Lazio are studying their options ahead of the January transfer window, as Kilmarnock youngster David Watson surfaces on the scene.

The Background

The Biancoclesti will be hoping to make up for their summer inactivity by reinforcing Maurizio Sarri’s squad with at least three new players in the middle of the season. The club is expecting to lift the infamous transfer ban in the coming weeks, but the cast has already begun at Formello.

Maurizio Sarri Wants a New Box-to-Box Midfielder

Last summer, Sarri had requested the arrival of a new box-to-box midfielder capable of playing on the left side. The manager felt that this is a role that Lazio should address above all else, and this conviction was further solidified by the results on the pitch, especially since Fisayo Dele-Bashiru had struggled to interpret this role effectively before succumbing to injury in the Derby della Capitale.

Lazio Tracking Ivan Ilic

In recent weeks, Ivan Ilic emerged as a serious candidate for the role. The left-footed midfielder has been playing his football in Torino since January 2023. However, the Serbian has lost his starting role under Marco Baroni this season. But while Sarri considers the 24-year-old a ready-made profile, he has recently suffered a hamstring strain, and his recovery time remains uncertain.

Lazio Set Sights on David Watson

According to Il Messaggero, Lazio have identified Watson as a young alternative to Ilic. The 20-year-old is a Kilmarnock youth product who has been playing for the first team since 2022. The Scotland U21 international has also showcased a knack for scoring goals this season, bagging three strikes in 12 Premiership appearances.

David Watson (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Can Lazio sign Watson on Favaroble terms?

In Scotland, Watson has been compared to Lennon Miller, the 19-year-old midfielder that Udinese poached from Motherwell last summer. It should also be noted that the Kilmarnock man is running on an expiring contract. Hence, he should be available on a discount in January, and could well become a free agent in the summer.