Transfer Centre

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri 'rejects chance to sign Fred, Giovani Lo Celso'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 July 2023

Lazio boss Sarri 'rejects chance to sign Fred, Lo Celso'

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri rejects the chance to sign Manchester United midfielder Fred and Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Giovani Lo Celso, according to the club's president.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has revealed that he has been told not to bid for Manchester United midfielder Fred or Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Giovani Lo Celso.

Last season, the Italian giants enjoyed their best Serie A campaign for more than two decades as they finished in second position behind runaway champions Napoli.

As a result, I Biancocelesti have qualified for the Champions League group stages, but their preparations for the new campaign have been less than ideal with key player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic departing for the Saudi Pro League.

Lazio are yet to find a replacement for the Serbia international, instead only adding attacking players to their ranks ahead of 2023-24.

Reports have suggested that the likes of Fred and Lo Celso are each of interest to Lazio, the future of both players in doubt for differing reasons.

Manchester United's Fred in action with Fulham's Kenny Tete on May 28, 2023 © Reuters

Fred has one year remaining on his contract at Man United and is open to a new challenge, while Lo Celso has just returned to Spurs after an 18-month loan stint with Villarreal.

However, Lotito has revealed that Lazio will not be progressing with an offer for either the Brazil or Argentina international courtesy of Sarri's stance on the pair.

Speaking to Il Messaggero, Lotito said: "I was prepared to open talks with Man Utd and bid for Fred, but Maurizio Sarri told me no - he doesn't want Fred.

"He did the same with Lo Celso. Sarri wants [Piotr] Zielinski and [Samuele] Ricci."

Napoli's Piotr Zielinski celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on March 15, 2023 © Reuters

Zielinski enjoyed arguably the best season of his career in 2022-23, chipping in with three goals and nine assists from 37 appearances for Napoli during their Scudetto triumph.

In total, the Poland international has 47 goals and 44 assists to his name from 329 outings, but the 29-year-old now has just over 11 months remaining on his contract.

As for Ricci, the 21-year-old made an impression for Torino during the last campaign, making 28 appearances as his side finished in 10th position in the top flight.

Although the Italy Under-21 international has three years left on his existing deal, a transfer to a bigger club has been touted for either later this summer or in the future.