Lazio’s chaotic January leaves Sarri questioning the balance of his squad | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri spent last summer lamenting a transfer ban, but Lazio’s January churn may have tested his patience further. According to The Laziali, five first-team additions arrived yet the head coach could argue December’s squad looked stronger.

Christos Mandas left for Bournemouth on loan for €2.5m with a €17.5m option. Sarri had not given the Greek a Serie A minute, sticking with Ivan Provedel. Reggiana’s Edoardo Motta joined for €1m.

No defender departed or arrived now. Alessio Romagnoli’s move to Al-Sadd collapsed, so he stays until summer at least. Unofficial free deals are lined up for July, Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal and Diogo Leite from Union Berlin, though Leite’s recent injury will be monitored.

Matteo Guendouzi’s €27m switch to Fenerbahce was the exit that stung most. Kenneth Taylor came in from Ajax for €15m plus €3m in bonuses, intended to complement rather than replace Guendouzi, and 19-year-old Adrian Przyborek arrived from Pogon for €4.5m plus €1.5m in add-ons. A tentative move for right-footed box-to-box Davide Frattesi was shut down by Inter, Matias Vecino joined Celta Vigo on a free, and Sarri remains displeased that Guendouzi has not been properly replaced.

Taty Castellanos left for West Ham United in a €29m deal. His replacement, RB Salzburg striker Petar Ratkov, cost €13m but stayed on the bench against Genoa, as Daniel Maldini made his first start up front. Maldini arrived from Atalanta on loan for €1m with an obligation to buy for €13m if Lazio qualify for Europe, and an option irrespective of that.

The shape of the rebuild remains uncertain, with summer targets pencilled in and selections still in flux. Lazio will hope Motta proves a shrewd pick-up in goal.

Source: The Laziali