Sebastiano Esposito ‘to top’ Lazio shortlist for new striker | OneFootball

Lazio are weighing a move for Cagliari striker Sebastiano Esposito to address an attack that misfired this season. No player passed five goals in all competitions, with Tijjani Noslin, Pedro and Gustav Isaksen joint top scorers.

Il Tempo reports that sporting director Angelo Fabiani has put the 23-year-old at the top of their shortlist. The move is viewed as affordable only if Lazio waive a €13 million option on Daniel Maldini from Atalanta, or sell Noslin or Boulaye Dia.

Esposito came through Inter Milan’s academy alongside his brothers. Midfielder Salvatore is at Sampdoria in Serie B, while younger sibling Francesco Pio enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Nerazzurri.

Less physically imposing than Pio, Sebastiano is a versatile forward who blends dribbling with tidy finishing and can operate across the front line. He made his Serie A debut under Antonio Conte in 2019, then had loans at SPAL, Venezia, Basel, Anderlecht, Bari, Sampdoria and Empoli.

He joined Cagliari on loan last summer with an obligation to buy and contributed eight goals and five assists in 39 outings as the Isolani beat the drop. He will now complete a permanent move for €4 million, with Inter retaining a 40% sell-on clause. Como and Torino have also been linked, and it is unclear whether Cagliari intend to cash in immediately.

Source: The Laziali