Lazio President Lotito ‘in advanced negotiations’ to buy Reggina | OneFootball

Claudio Lotito is in advanced negotiations to buy Reggina, according to Alfredo Pedulla. The 69-year-old has opened talks with the Calabrian club’s current owners.

He has controlled Lazio since 2004, but is enduring the darkest period of his 22-year presidency, with organised fan groups in open rebellion. Supporters blame him for the side’s decline, accusing him of prioritising personal interests.

Matt Rizzetta believed he had an agreement to purchase Reggina from Antonino Ballarino, who led the consortium that took over the Amaranto in 2023. Ballarino then failed to provide documents requested by Rizzetta, leaving the operation on ice.

It is thought this may have been a deliberate stall that allowed Lotito to enter the frame. At this stage, it is believed talks between Rizzetta and Ballarino have effectively collapsed, opening a path for the Lazio owner to close a deal.

This would not be Lotito’s first foray into the lower leagues. He bought Salernitana in 2011 when they were in Serie D, then was forced to sell in 2021 after promotion to Serie A, as rules forbid owning two clubs in the same division. Reggina are in Serie D after a 2023 financial collapse, having relaunched as a phoenix club, and last played in Serie A in the 2008/09 season.

Source: The Laziali