Lazio Willing to Thwart Inter & AC Milan Plans by Keeping Defender in Rome | OneFootball

Lazio are reportedly open to keeping Mario Gila beyond next summer, even if it means losing him for free a year later.

The Background

The Spaniard, who joined the Biancocelesti in the summer of 2022, is now considered one of the finest defenders in Serie A, and has earned himself a queue of suitors in Italy and the rest of Europe. The 25-year-old has been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Everton. However, AC Milan and Inter Milan have been identified as his most serious admirers.

AC Milan & Inter Milan Leading the Charge for Mario Gila

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, the two Derby della Madonnina rivals continue to follow Gila’s situation with great interest, considering him the right profile to strengthen their backlines. Inter need a new centre-back to replace the ageing Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij, while Milan could do with an upgrade on the likes of Matteo Gabbia and Koni De Winter.

Lazio Seeking €30 million to Part Ways with Gila

However, the Roman newspaper reveals that Lazio president Claudio Lotito isn’t willing to lose Gila on the cheap, even if the player’s contract will expire in June 2027 with no signs of a renewal on the horizon. The Biancocelesti patron has reportedly set his price tag at €25m-€30m, while taking into account Real Madrid’s 50% sell-on fee.

Therefore, Lotito will either sell the Spanish international on his terms or will simply keep him at Formello for another year. The second option would likely culminate with Gila leaving the Italian capital on a free transfer.

Gila’s Fate Could Depend on Lazio’s Finances

The source adds that the decision of the Serie A supervisory committee regarding the club’s finances could loom large over Gila’s future. Lazio will either be given the green light to operate freely on the market in the summer, or will be limited to a ‘zero-cost’ Mercato.

In the latter case, the Aquile would only be able to buy new players after selling some of their own, so Gila’s departure could become necessary to fund the club’s transfer campaign.