Lazio’s path to Fazzini clears, but one detail holds back the decisive move

The recent unexpected entry of Napoli into the race for Cesare Casadei has once again shifted the landscape for several midfielders seeking new opportunities in this winter’s Serie A transfer window. One such player is Empoli’s Jacopo Fazzini, who has caught the eye of both Napoli and Lazio in recent weeks. The 21-year-old has expressed a desire to challenge himself in a more competitive environment than what his current Tuscan club offers.

Calciomercato report how from the outset, Fazzini’s preference has leaned towards Lazio. Following Matias Vecino’s serious injury, the Roman club initiated contact with Fazzini’s agent, presenting the possibility of regular playing time under Marco Baroni’s management. This prospect of significant minutes appears more attractive than what Napoli could offer, given their focus solely on the league and Antonio Conte’s reputation for rarely altering his established lineup.

While Napoli had reportedly reached a general agreement with Empoli on the transfer fee, around 12 million euros, and was willing to meet President Corsi’s demand for an immediate permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy, Lazio currently faces obstacles in matching these terms.

Lazio’s president, Claudio Lotito, is currently limited to offering a loan with an option to buy due to liquidity index constraints that prevent immediate incoming transfers. To meet Empoli’s demands, Lazio needs to facilitate a couple of outgoing transfers first. Potential departures include midfielders Gaetano Castrovilli and Toma Basic (with two offers from Spain for the latter), while in defense, Hysaj seems the most likely to leave.

Despite these complications, Lazio feels closer to securing Fazzini, especially with Napoli’s recent focus shift towards Casadei. This situation appears to be heading towards an almost inevitable conclusion, particularly as Fazzini’s position at Empoli becomes increasingly precarious.

The young midfielder voluntarily excluded himself from the squad for last Saturday’s match against Venezia, and his participation in the upcoming game against Lecce on January 11th remains uncertain. The worst-case scenario for Fazzini would be finding himself marginalized within Empoli’s technical project if his transfer doesn’t materialize. It’s worth noting that his contract with Empoli remains valid until June 2027, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

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