Mario Gila is on the verge of joining Milan from Lazio, sparking an urgent recruitment drive at the Stadio Olimpico as new head coach Gennaro Gattuso confronts a defensive overhaul.
The Spaniard’s transfer to San Siro is approaching completion, leaving the Biancocelesti scrambling to reinforce their backline ahead of the new campaign. Compounding the urgency, club captain Alessio Romagnoli is expected to complete a move to Al-Sadd, potentially stripping Lazio of two experienced centre-backs in a single window.
The Replacement Targets
Lazio have identified two primary candidates to fill the void. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, 21-year-old Sergi Dominguez from Dinamo Zagreb has emerged as the leading option. The former Barcelona youth product, who has spent the past year in Croatia, could be secured for a fee between €7 million and €8 million.
Simultaneously, Lazio are monitoring Diego Coppola’s situation at Brighton. The Seagulls are open to loaning the Italian defender with either an option or obligation to buy, just twelve months after signing him from Hellas Verona for €12 million. This arrangement could offer Lazio immediate cover without committing significant funds upfront.
Internal Options and the Road Ahead
While Oliver Provstgaard may be promoted to a more prominent role alongside reserve options Patric and Samuel Gigot, the departures of Gila and Romagnoli leave the squad significantly depleted. Gattuso, who has only recently taken charge, faces the immediate challenge of rebuilding his defensive unit before the season begins.
The club’s hierarchy are working to secure at least one new starting centre-half, though the simultaneous exits may necessitate multiple arrivals. With Dominguez available at a relatively modest fee and Coppola offering a temporary solution with long-term potential, Lazio are exploring flexible deals to solve their defensive crisis swiftly.