Lazio ‘make enquiry’ for Ajax defender Josip Sutalo | OneFootball

According to The Laziali, Lazio have enquired about Ajax defender Josip Sutalo as they step up their search for a centre-back this summer.

The Biancocelesti have already brought in Danilho Doekhi on a free, yet the sale of Mario Gila to AC Milan and uncertainty over Alessio Romagnoli, with Atalanta keen to reunite him with Maurizio Sarri, leave them short. Fitness issues for Samuel Gigot and Patric add to the problem.

Ajax are said to expect the 26-year-old to depart before the window closes. He has two years left on his deal and the Dutch club value him at €12-13 million plus bonuses.

Sutalo has rejected two offers from the Middle East, including Al-Hilal, while Benfica are interested. Lazio are likely to propose a loan with an option to buy, as they currently lack the funds for an outright purchase.

Standard Liege’s Ibe Hautekiet has also emerged as a contender, with a €5 million release clause that would need to be met.

A Dinamo Zagreb academy product, Sutalo became a mainstay before joining Ajax in summer 2023 for €20 million. He has been a regular for the Amsterdam side and has 37 Croatia caps since 2022.

He should not be confused with Bosko Sutalo, another 26-year-old Croatian defender who also featured at Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he is not related.

Source: The Laziali

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