Lazio Consider Signing Serie A Goalkeeper as Juventus Pursue Mandas | OneFootball

Juventus, Lazio and Genoa are reportedly entangled in a merry-go-round involving Christos Mandas, Mattia Perin and Nicola Leali.

The Background

The Greek goalkeeper is unhappy with his status at Lazio, having lost the starting berth he had acquired under Marco Baroni following Maurizio Sarri’s return to the club. The 66-year-old restored Ivan Provedel as his first choice, and the latter responded by regaining his best form, registering nine clean sheets in 16 Serie A appearances.

Juventus Interested in Christos Mandas

In recent days, Mandas has been linked with several suitors, including Genoa, Panathinaikos, and a reunion with Baroni at Torino. But according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà, the 24-year-old’s next destination could be Juventus, who are also in the market for a new goalkeeper.

Mattia Perin Could Head Back to Genoa

As the transfer insider reveals, the Bianconeri could lose Perin’s services in January, as the experienced shot-stopper could be tempted by a return to his original club, Genoa. Daniele De Rossi has urged his new employers to buy him a new goalkeeper following his appointment as the new head coach, and he is said to be enthusiastic about a reunion with Perin, who was his international teammate.

Nicola Leali (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

While Juventus would be willing to release Perin, they will first want to secure the services of a replacement. Pedullà insists that the Bianconeri aren’t interested in a direct swap that would bring Leali back to the club, but would prefer a more exciting profile to compete with Michele Di Gregorio for a starting role.

Lazio Consider Signing Nicola Leali

Hence, Juve are reportedly interested in Mandas, while Lazio could complete the merry-go-round by signing Leali, who is considered suitable for an understudy role behind Provedel. The journalist reckons that this triple operation remains in its primary phase, but it could be an interesting one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.