Official: Romagnoli stays at Lazio after Al-Sadd run out of time | OneFootball

Alessio Romagnoli is set to stay at Lazio after a chaotic final day of the Qatari transfer window saw the deal go from off, to on, to off again, in the space of a few hours.

Al-Sadd, where Italian Roberto Mancini now coaches, were close to completing the deal.

Reports from Manuel Baiocchini, and later confirmed by Gianluca Di Marzio, claim that the agreement between the two clubs had been reached, contracts had been signed but that there was not enough time for the Qatari side to file the transfer before the window slammed shut.

Therefore, Romagnoli will now likely return to Lazio, in strange circumstances.

LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio after the Serie A match between US Lecce and SS Lazio at Stadio Via del Mare on January 24, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Romagnoli saga drags on, Al-Sadd pay the price

The sage was a complicated and drawn out one.

Originally, Al-Sadd were reported to be interested and Romagnoli interested in joining up with Mancini in Qatar.

Then, Lazio posted a sensational statement on their official channels to claim that no such transfer would be happening and that Romagnoli would stay at the club, where he is contracted.

Romagnoli said goodbye to fans at the end of Lazio’s draw with Lecce and was left out of the squad that faced Genoa on Friday – although he did watch on from the stands.

LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: After the Serie A match between US Lecce and SS Lazio at Stadio Via del Mare on January 24, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Earlier today, it was reported that Lazio had finally accepted an offer from Al-Sadd for the centre-back and that the green light had been given, yet it was clear the Qatari side had to act quickly.

The Qatari window shut this evening, earlier than in other countries, and Al-Sadd and Romagnoli lost out because there was not enough time to get the deal done.

It now leaves a rather awkward situation where Romagnoli must return to the club he had said his goodbyes to, despite everything being in place for him to leave.