Why Romagnoli Pulled the Trigger on Al-Sadd Transfer After Lazio Green Light | OneFootball

Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli had the last say during the chaotic negotiations between himself, the Biancocelesti management and Al-Sadd.

The Background

The Italian centre-back was at the very centre of a January soap opera that went all the way to the wire. Unhappy with Claudio Lotito’s broken salary promises, the 31-year-old was hellbent on leaving Formello and joining the Qatari club coached by Roberto Mancini. He even bid the Lazio fans farewell last weekend in Lecce, thinking that the deal was done. However, the saga was only about to begin.

Al-Sadd Tried to Seal a Last-Minute Deal

Last Sunday, Lazio made a surprising U-turn by taking the player off the market, and the latter retaliated by skipping training. With the transfer market in Qatar closing on Saturday, Al-Sadd launched a last-ditch attempt this weekend. After back-and-forth negotiations with Lazio, the two clubs reached a deal, but they couldn’t finalize the transfer.

Alessio Romagnoli (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

On Sunday morning, the shocking reason behind the transfer’s collapse was revealed by some of the most reliable sources in the Italian press.

Romagnoli Refused to Give Up Lazio Wages

According to Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Il Messaggero and Alfredo Pedulla, Romagnoli pulled the trigger, as he refused to waive his salary for November, December, and January, as requested by Lotito. It should be noted that this has been a common practice by the Lazio patron, as documented by Lucas Biglia.

Why Romagnoli Stood Firm Against Claudio Lotito

As the reports explain, these three salaries accumulate to €600,000 in total, but the defender’s stubborn stance saw him miss out on a three-year deal that would have earned him €18 million. Nevertheless, for Romagnoli, it was a matter of principle, as he’s long been irritated by Lotito’s demeanor and unfulfilled promises.

Romagnoli & Lazio’s Irreparable Bond

Romagnoli is expected to rejoin Maurizio Sarri’s ranks in the coming days, but he’s unlikely to linger at Formello for too long, especially with Al-Sadd promising to launch another attempt to sign him next summer.