Lazio Turns Down First AC Milan Bid for Gila Lotito Plays Familiar Game | OneFootball

AC Milan have presented Lazio with an opening bid for Mario Gila, but Claudio Lotito is keen to squeeze out the best possible deal.

The Background

Despite their late entry, the Rossoneri have emerged as the ultimate frontrunners in the race for the 25-year-old after blowing Napoli and Atalanta out of the water with a comprehensive contract offer, guaranteeing the player a yearly net salary of almost €5 million. On Monday, Gila’s agent, Alejandro Camano, arrived in Rome to negotiate on Milan’s behalf.

AC Milan Make Opening Bid for Mario Gila

According to Sky Sport Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Camano revealed the Diavolo’s offer to Lazio, but it was swiftly rejected, as it fell below Lotito’s original asking price of €30 million. It should be remembered that the Biancocelesti must share the profit with Real Madrid, who are entitled to receive a 50% sell-on fee. Therefore, Milan will have to return with a higher offer.

The Reported Figures

While Di Marzio didn’t disclose the numbers behind Milan’s first bid, fellow Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla revealed the San Siro outfit proposed a transfer fee of €23-24 million plus €3-4 million in bonuses.

The transfer market expert insists that Lotito had lowered his asking price to €25 million, as he had already accepted an offer from Atalanta in this region. However, he now senses the opportunity to register a bigger capital gain, with Milan keen to recruit the Spanish defender.

Claudio Lotito Keen to Secure Best Possible Deal From Gila Sale

Pedulla notes that the Lazio president often resorts to this sort of manoeuvre while negotiating a sale, as illustrated by the transfer sagas of Alessio Romagnoli and Ivan Provedel, who have only recently been given the green light to join Al-Sadd and Inter Milan, respectively.

Gila joined Lazio in the summer of 2022 and has been a key player for the club over the past couple of seasons, cementing himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in Serie A.