Two Reasons Why Atalanta Are Keen to Sign Lazio Stalwart Wanted at Brighton | OneFootball

The race for Lazio defender Mario Gila is heating up, as Atalanta are trying to overtake Napoli, while Brighton are lurking.

Atalanta Trying to Beat Napoli for Mario Gila

The 25-year-old has established himself as one of the finest centre-backs in Serie A. But with only one year left on his contract, he is widely expected to leave the Italian capital this summer. Lazio president Claudio Lotito has set his asking price at €25-30 million, knowing he must share the profit with Real Madrid due to their 50% sell-on fee.

As Alfredo Pedulla explains, Napoli were the first to make a concrete offer for Gila. The Partenopei secured an agreement with the player on personal terms, but have yet to convince the Biancocelesti management, despite their willingness to add either Lorenzo Lucca or Rafa Marin to the deal.

Why Atalanta & Maurizio Sarri Need Gila

On the other hand, Atalanta have put just over €20 million on the plate, positioning themselves as a serious threat to Napoli. The Italian journalist reveals the two reasons that prompted La Dea to make a move for the Spanish defender.

First, Atalanta are switching from a back-three to a 4-3-3 system for the first time in over a decade. Therefore, Maurizio Sarri is seeking a back-four specialist, and a reunion with Gila could be the perfect solution.

Second, the Orobici were dealt a blow, with one of their most reliable defenders, Isak Hien suffering an injury during Sweden’s World Cup game against Japan. This knock has ruled the 27-year-old out of the tournament, and he could even miss the start of the season.

Brighton Also Interested in Gila

Il Messaggero also weighs in the transfer saga, revealing that Napoli are still the frontrunners in the race despite Atalanta’s recent push. The Roman newspaper also confirms interest from Brighton, who are also in the market for a new centre-back.

The Seagulls have already sold Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham Hotspur, and could also offload Diego Coppola, who struggled to settle in England following his transfer from Hellas Verona last summer. The Italian defender spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Paris FC, and has now surfaced as a serious target for Lazio.