Lazio`s activity in the transfer market has been officially halted. The Italian football financial watchdog, Covisoc, identified breaches of three crucial economic metrics – liquidity index, debt levels, and expanded labor costs. As a result, the club is prohibited from registering new players until September 1st, unless they address a financial shortfall estimated at approximately 90 million euros.
Club president Claudio Lotito described the situation as “resolvable,” but for now, the focus is solely on outgoing transfers. Selling key players is not an option, as the club`s policy is to avoid weakening coach Maurizio Sarri`s squad. Therefore, the only path to lifting the transfer restrictions is by offloading surplus players and reducing the overall wage bill. The club has also issued a press release affirming that its overall economic stability remains strong.
The first confirmed outgoing deal is the transfer of Loum Tchaouna to Burnley, reportedly for 14 million euros plus bonuses and a 10% sell-on clause. This transfer is scheduled to be formalized on July 1st for accounting purposes. Other players potentially on the way out include Basic, Cancellieri, Kamenovic, Fares, and Cataldi. The club also needs to manage returning players like Floriani Mussolini, recently bought back from Juve Stabia. The current squad size is 30 players, with the aim to reduce it to 23, aligning with the coach`s preferences. Furthermore, Serie A squad registration rules require difficult decisions: with only 17 slots available for players over a certain age, at least three senior players must be sold.
