Lazio ‘to step up’ Mauro Icardi pursuit as striker hunt narrows to two | OneFootball

Lazio are serious about signing free agent Mauro Icardi, with Gennaro Gattuso still without the centre-forward he requested as they host Mantova on Sunday in the Coppa Italia.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Lazio have accelerated their push after finalising Davide Frattesi’s move from Inter, and are working on Icardi on a daily basis. The former Inter captain, who also played for Sampdoria and Paris Saint-Germain, is available after seeing out his Galatasaray contract last season.

Icardi emerged as a leading candidate earlier this week. On Friday, Gattuso declined to deny interest and instead praised the Argentine.

Club president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani are aware the 33-year-old prioritises an elite side or Champions League football. To date, he has had two concrete offers, one from Olympiakos which he rejected, and another from Mexico.

Lazio have trimmed their shortlist to two names, with Icardi viewed as the primary target and Andrea Pinamonti the alternative. The Sassuolo striker is understood to be open to the move, his deal expires next year and his wages would be lower than Icardi’s.

Source: The Laziali

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”