Lazio Join Inter Milan in the Race for Argentine Defender | OneFootball

Lazio are reportedly tracking young River Plate defender Lautaro Rivero, who could be Alessio Romagnoli’s long-term successor.

Lazio Searching for Alessio Romagnoli’s Replacement

The former AC Milan captain was on the cusp of leaving the Biancocelesti in January, but his transfer to Al-Sadd collapsed just before the deadline. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old is still tipped to leave the club in the summer, especially with his contract expiring in June 2027.

Lazio already have a solid alternative in Oliver Provstgaard, but they’ll need another left-footed central defender if Romagnoli departs.

The Diogo Leite Option

Over the past two months, Diogo Leite emerged as the favorite for the role. The 27-year-old Portuguese will become a free agent once his contract with Union Berlin expires in the summer, and the Aquile have already made progress in their negotiations with the player’s entourage. However, the management is also pursuing other profiles.

Lazio Interested in River Plate Defender Lautaro Rivero

Il Corriere dello Sport relays a news posted by an Argentine source (El Crack Deportivo), claiming that Lazio have become the latest club to register their interest in Lautaro Rivero, who is also wanted at Inter Milan.

Rivero’s Background, Contract & Asking Price

The 22-year-old is a youth product of River Plate who spent a year on loan at Central Cordoba before rejoining the Buenos Aires giants last summer.

This season, Rivero has been a regular starter at the club, making 10 league starts from a possible 11, and scoring one goal in the process. The centre-back also made his debut with Argentina’s senior national team last October in a friendly against Puerto Rico.

Rivero’s contract is valid until December 2028 and it reportedly includes a €100 million release clause. Nevertheless, the source believes River Plate’s asking price is around €10 million.