Sarri Tells Lazio to Sign Atletico Madrid Attacker Who Wants Out | OneFootball

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is still hoping to have Atletico Madrid striker Giacomo Raspadori at his disposal.

Maurizio Sarri Already Wanted Giacomo Raspadori in the Summer

The 25-year-old was one of the names on the 66-year-old shortlist last summer. However, the Biancocelesti were eventually thwarted by the transfer ban, and the Italian international ended up sealing a move from Napoli to the Spanish capital side.

Raspadori Struggling for Revelance at Atletico Madrid

However, Raspadori is struggling for game time under Diego Simeone. He has only earned 309 minutes since his arrival, making 12 appearances (mostly off the bench) across all competitions, while contributing with one goal and two assists.

Hence, the Sassuolo youth product is said to be unhappy with his status in Madrid, and according to Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), he has already asked his agent to bring him back to Serie A.

Sarri Makes His January Priorities Clear to Lazio

The Roman newspaper adds that Sarri still considers Raspadori the right man to solve his attacking woes. The 66-year-old is also keen on a reunion with his former Napoli pupil Lorenzo Insigne, but he considers the arrival of the Atletico man as his main priority for January, alongside a creative midfielder with similar characteristics to Luis Alberto.

Giacomo Raspadori (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Raspadori is a versatile attacker who can play anywhere in the final third, including as a centre-forward. Hence, Sarri could field him in a similar role to Dries Mertens, a diminutive winger whom he transformed into a false 9, and went on to become Napoli’s all-time leading goalscorer.

How Can Lazio Afford Raspadori

However, the source believes that Lazio won’t be able to land the two-time Scudetto winner unless they sell Taty Castellanos or another player who can generate the required funds, like Gustav Isaksen or Matteo Cancellieri, as the club could be forced to operate on zero-cost parameters due to their shaky accounts.