RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWest Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug keen on Lazio transfer but move will have to wait
Niclas Fullkrug has been linked with a move to Lazio as Gennaro Gattuso searches for a new number nine. The experienced 33-year-old is reportedly eager to head to Rome, yet there are a few factors hindering the deal.
Firstly, while Fullkrug has been offered up to the uncertain Biancocelesti following his loan stint with AC Milan last term, he earns €3.5 million and would have to cut his salary to return to Italy.
Second of all, the German’s single goal in 20 Serie A appearances hardly makes for good reading. In fact, as Corriere dello Sport confirm, Gattuso is eyeing up a loan-to-buy move for Milan’s Santi Gimenez. The risk with that, however, is that it’s a deal that can only be evaluated in late August, assuming the striker is still with the Rossoneri after struggles of his own.
Lazio pigeon-holed in the market
Gattuso has quite the recruitment job on his hands. At the time of writing, this window sees him with an exposed defence and a blunt attack – one that only registered 41 goals last season.
Petar Ratkov could leave the club after a bleak spell on the team’s fringes, despite Lazio shelling out €13 million to Salzburg for him. Plus, with the side’s ninth-placed finish last term, there isn’t exactly a huge transfer fund to dip into for what is a very expensive position.
As mentioned with the injury-hit Gimenez earlier, Lazio seem to be scouring clubs above them for spare parts on a loan-to-buy basis. There’s an element of desperation about this, especially considering their recent interest in Burnley’s Armando Broja . Relegated from the Premier League with the Clarets, Broja boasts of an equally grim injury history. When fit, he scored just once in 24 top-flight games last term.
GIFN | Max Bradfield
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