Mandas Could Reunite With Baroni as Lazio & Torino Negotiate Goalkeeper Swap | OneFootball

Lazio and Torino have reportedly opened talks over a goalkeeper swap involving Christos Mandas and Franco Israel.

Christos Mandas Destined to Leave Lazio in January

This season, Mandas has yet to make an appearance in Serie A, as Maurizio Sarri has opted to start with Ivan Provedel in all 18 league fixtures thus far. The Greek custodian only got the nod in the Coppa Italia victory over AC Milan last month. Therefore, a sale appears to be the best solution for all parties, allowing the 24-year-old to get playing time elsewhere while Lazio would register a capital gain.

Lazio & Torino Pondering Mandas & Franco Israel Swap

In recent weeks, Mandas was heavily linked with Juventus and Genoa, but neither track has materialized. Nevertheless, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the shot-stopper now has the opportunity to reunite with Marco Baroni, who made him a regular starter during the second half of the previous campaign, with Israel replacing him in Formello.

Christos Mandas (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The former Lazio head coach is currently in charge of Torino, and his squad could do with a new goalkeeper. The Granata signed Israel from Sporting Club last summer. But while the Uruguayan showed some promise in the early rounds of the season, his performances regressed afterwards, so he recently lost his starting berth to Alberto Paleari, a 33-year-old journeyman.

Mandas Would Instantly Become New Torino No.1

If this double deal were to reach the finish line, Baroni would likely hand Mandas the reins straight away. On the contrary, Israel wouldn’t pose a major threat to Provedel’s starting berth at the Stadio Olimpico, but instead serve as an understudy for the 31-year-old, who has already registered nine clean sheets this season.

Another Lazio & Torino Swap Deal in the Making

Di Marzio claims that Lazio and Torino are currently working on the deal. Interestingly, this isn’t the only rumored swap involving the two clubs, as they were also tipped to exchange the services of Ivan Ilic and Reda Belahyane last week.