Lazio President responds to Rovella-Man City transfer link and trolls Roma | OneFootball

Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists Manchester City-linked Nicolò Rovella is not on the market and trolls Roma despite their derby victory: ‘It seemed a Scudetto celebration.’

Lazio President Lotito is unwilling to sell Rovella this month. The Italy international has emerged as a target for Manchester City in the winter transfer window.

Lazio President responds to Rovella-Man City transfer link and trolls Roma

Lazio President Claudio Lotito (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“He’s not up for sale, and we’ve never received an offer, but naturally, our players are appreciated by the top clubs in the world,” Lotito told Il Messaggero via TMW.

Rovella has delivered two assists in 23 appearances across all competitions this season.

He made his senior Italy debut this past November, playing 79 minutes in a 1-0 away win in Belgium.

A former Juventus and Genoa midfielder, this is Rovella’s second season at Lazio. He’s formally on loan from the Old Lady, but Lazio have an obligation to make his move permanent for €17m this summer.

Lazio are fighting for a Champions League spot this season, but they must bounce back immediately after their 2-0 loss to Roma on Sunday.

The Giallorossi scored twice in the opening 18 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, but Lotito appreciated the reaction from his team.

“We got the opening 20 minutes wrong, and they [Roma] had two shots on target,” he said.

“We didn’t deserve to lose, given the second-half performance. They scored, and we didn’t. Then, there were unfair actions such as balls being thrown onto the pitch and other things. They won a match, but it seemed a Scudetto celebration.”