Taylor In, Guendouzi Out: Lazio's Best Business in Years? | OneFootball

Lazio’s transfer work has rarely dazzled, yet their latest moves could be their shrewdest in years. According to The Laziali, Taty Castellanos has joined West Ham United for a reported €29m, Mattéo Guendouzi has left for Fenerbahçe, and Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor is arriving for just under €17m.

Castellanos’ sale soothed supporters, with many feeling West Ham paid close to twice his value. Recent €10m-plus outlays on Loum Tchaouna, Tijjani Noslin and Reda Belahyane had fuelled frustration.

Guendouzi’s exit initially landed badly. The former Arsenal midfielder had become central to Maurizio Sarri’s plans, and the coach was reportedly unimpressed by the decision to cash in.

Within 24 hours, Lazio moved for Taylor. Many rate the Dutchman at least on a par with Guendouzi, and securing him while banking roughly €13m looks notably smart.

Betting markets still have Lazio at 66/1 for a top-four finish, unchanged by the swap, so another season of mid-table mediocrity could well be on the cards.

There is precedent. In July 2023, Sergej Milinković-Savić left for €40m after arriving from Genk in 2015 for €10m, by then the club’s top-scoring midfielder with 69 in 341. Guendouzi followed from Marseille, loan then €15m, later sold for €30m.

In 2021, Inter paid €6m to loan Joaquín Correa, then €24m to buy him, while Lazio borrowed Mattia Zaccagni and later paid €7m. Correa has 14 goals in 100-plus games since, now a bench option at Botafogo. Zaccagni is captain with 36 from the left in that span.

Source: The Laziali