Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli has escalated his transfer dispute by refusing to train with the team as the club continues to block his proposed move to Al-Sadd. The Italian centre-back had already agreed personal terms with the Qatari side but finds himself caught between conflicting interests at his current club.
Romagnoli’s training boycott intensifies Lazio transfer standoff
Alessio Romagnoli did not train with the rest of the team on Wednesday as he continued to push for a move to Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd, with Corriere dello Sport reporting that Lazio provided no official explanation for the defender’s absence from yesterday’s training session.
The situation has reached boiling point after Romagnoli had reached an agreement with Al-Sadd over an €18m-a-year deal and had even waved goodbye to Lazio fans on Saturday. However, Serie A side Lazio blocked his transfer with an official statement the following day, creating the current impasse that has seen tension skyrocket at the club.
Romagnoli finds himself in a tricky situation as Lotito won’t approve the defender’s transfer unless Sarri gives the green light. The player has held talks with Maurizio Sarri, hoping to persuade the coach to approve his move abroad, but Sarri’s relationship with Lotito is already strained, and the coach has no desire to be involved in transfer decisions, especially after being disappointed by the club’s choices in January.
The timing adds further complexity as Lazio already sold Valentin Castellanos and Matteo Guendouzi in the January transfer window. Romagnoli won’t be available for Friday’s Serie A match against Genoa, and Lazio could take action against the defender if he continues to miss training in the coming days.
