Villarreal Join Inter Milan in the Race for Lazio Defender | OneFootball

Inter Milan and Villarreal are reportedly among the clubs vying for Mario Gila, whose future at Lazio remains shrouded in mystery.

The Background

Many consider the 25-year-old among the finest defenders in Serie A, but he remains one of the lowest earners in Maurizio Sarri’s first team, with a net salary of circa €1.2 million. Claudio Lotito and Angelo Fabiani tried to adjust the situation by offering him a long-term deal with an improved contract, but they were impeded by the transfer ban.

Lazio Struggling to Maintain Mario Gila

While the ban should be lifted in the coming days, many fear that this ship has already sailed, as the player and his agent could already be plotting their next move. It should also be noted that Gila’s contract will expire in June 2027, so Lazio could be interested in selling him in 2026, rather than losing him for free a year later.

Inter Milan Looking to Bounce on the Opportunity to Poach Gila

According to Tuttosport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), the Spaniard remains one of the top targets on Inter’s shortlist. The Turin-based newspaper claims that the Nerazzurri are prepared to offer Lazio €20 million for the centre-back’s services. It should be noted that Gila’s former club, Real Madrid, would receive half of the sum thanks to a 50% sell-on fee.

Mario Gila (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter also share a good rapport with the player’s agent, Alejandro Camano, who also represents their captain, Lautaro Martinez.

Villarreal Seeking a New Defender in January

On a related note, La Repubblica (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) claims that Villarreal have also entered the fray for the Spanish defender, as they’re seeking mid-season defensive reinforcement. Nevertheless, Lotito had vowed to keep his best players at the club, at least until the end of the season, so Gila’s January exit should be ruled out in theory.