Zaccagni’s Understudy: Lazio Tracking Mourinho’s Pupil & Leipzig Teenager | OneFootball

Lazio are reportedly keeping tabs on Andreas Schjelderup and Kerim Alajbegovic, as they look to add a new left winger to their ranks.

The Background

Maurizio Sarri had initially requested a reunion with his former Napoli disciple, Lorenzo Insigne, but the management considered the latter too old for the project. Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani eventually had his way by signing Daniel Maldini on loan with an option to buy from Atalanta, but Sarri has been deploying him as a striker.

Lazio Want an Understudy for Mattia Zaccagni

Therefore, Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) expects the club to resume their search for a new long-term replacement for Mattia Zaccagni. While the club captain remains a true protagonist in the team, he will turn 31 next June, and his injury problems have increased in recent campaigns.

Lazio Still Monitoring Andreas Schjelderup

The Roman newspaper identifies two potential candidates who would suit Fabiani’s project. The first is Schjelderup, whom they had already pursued in January. The 21-year-old started his career at Bodo/Glimt and then had an experience at Nordsjælland before joining Benfica in the summer of 2023.

Andreas Schjelderup (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Norwegian has been a regular feature in Jose Mourinho’s team this season, contributing with five goals and three assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. As the source explains, the Special One refused to sanction the youngster’s departure in the middle of the campaign, but Lazio might stand a better chance at signing him in the summer.

Lazio Also Tracking Kerim Alajbegovic

The alternative profile is Alajbegovic, an 18-year-old winger who has already earned six senior caps with Bosnia. The Cologne native began his career at his hometown club of FC Köln, and then had an experience at Bayer Leverkusen. Last summer, he completed a €2 million transfer to RB Salzburg and has already cemented himself as a regular starter for the Austrian giants.

This season, the teenager has made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing his teammates with three assists. CdS claims that Lazio already enquired about Alajbegovic while negotiating Petar Ratkov’s transfer with Salzburg last month.