Romagnoli’s Transfer to Al-Sadd Reportedly Faltered – What’s Next for the Lazio Defender | OneFootball

Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli was expected to join Al-Sadd, but the transfer has reportedly gone up in smoke.

Alessio Romagnoli to Al-Sadd Reaches Breaking Point

Last month, the Aquile agreed to sell the player to the Qatari champions for €3 million, supposedly ending a six-month transfer saga. However, the soap opera witnessed another unexpected twist, as it later emerged that Al-Sadd are unable to make a transaction due to the situation in the Middle East.

The club asked Lazio to delay the payment until January, but Claudio Lotito categorically rejected the request. In recent days, Romagnoli’s agent, Enzo Raiola, claimed that the Arab club giants still intend to close the deal as soon as the situation is resolved, but Italian sources believe otherwise.

Romagnoli No Longer Set to Join Al-Sadd

According to Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), Romagnoli’s move to Al-Sadd is dead in the water. The defender has already rejoined his Lazio teammates in training earlier this week, although he’s still working separately.

The Financial Repercussions for Lazio & Romagnoli

The source talks about a bitter outcome for all parties, as Lazio missed out on a €3 million transfer fee, in addition to chopping off €5 million from the wage bill. For his part, the former AC Milan captain was about to sign a three-year contract that would have guaranteed him a yearly net salary of €6 million.

Is Atalanta an Option for Romagnoli?

The report confirms Maurizio Sarri’s desire to reunite with his old pupil at Atalanta, but Romagnoli prefers to embark on a foreign experience rather than join another Serie A club. It should also be noted that a reconciliation with the Lazio hierarchy remains unlikely. After all, the player had bid the fans farewell with a video message displayed during the large anti-Lotito protest earlier this month.