Romagnoli confronts Lotito amid Lazio contract row and possible Al-Sadd move | OneFootball

Alessio Romagnoli told Lazio president Claudio Lotito, "You have been toying with me for three years", during a heated meeting as he pushed to leave the club, Il Messaggero reports.

The centre-back left AC Milan in summer 2022, halving his salary to join his beloved Biancocelesti in return for a promised pay rise if Champions League football was secured. Lazio finished second in 2022/23, but that increase never arrived.

In Thursday’s talks, Romagnoli made clear he wanted out of Formello. Lotito urged him to tell Maurizio Sarri that an extension had been offered and that the decision to depart was the player’s.

Romagnoli had already informed Sarri on Wednesday morning. The head coach tried to change his mind, then accepted his stance.

There has been a late and limited attempt to renew his contract, but discussions did not progress. Lazio could now sell, which would deliver a pure €8 million capital gain.

The 31-year-old is believed to be close to joining Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd. He has a proposed three-year package worth €18 million and may leave with mixed feelings.

Source: The Laziali