Alessio Romagnoli Leaving Lazio as Al-Sadd Finally Find Breakthrough

Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli is on the verge of signing for Al-Sadd, thus ending a gruelling nine-month soap opera.

Alessio Romagnoli Has Already Said Goodbye Twice

The Qatari champions first tried to sign the Roman in January when Roberto Mancini was still at the helm. The player greeted the fans following an away contest against Lecce, thinking his departure was imminent, but the winter negotiations collapsed when Lazio president Claudio Lotito asked the player to waive a three-month salary, which the latter refused as a matter of principle.

In June, the Biancocelesti agreed to sell Romagnoli to the Arabic club for €3 million. Once again, Romagnoli bid the Aquile supporters farewell, this time through a video message displayed during an anti-Lotito demonstration. But due to the unrest in the Middle East, Al-Sadd weren’t able to complete the transaction, while Lazio refused to delay the payment for another six months.

The former AC Milan captain was thus reinstated in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad, but hasn’t featured in a competitive fixture this season due to a physical problem.

Qatari Clubs Remain Active on the Market

On Tuesday night, the transfer market closed in the majority of the European nations, but it remains open elsewhere, including in Qatar, where clubs are allowed to sign new players until Thursday evening. Therefore, Al-Sadd have seemingly seized the opportunity to finally seal the deal.

Al-Sadd & Lazio Finally Resolve Romagnoli Transfer Hurdles

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Romagnoli was given the green light to travel to the Middle East and sign for his longtime suitors. The source believes that all the bureaucratic knots have been untied, and the two clubs are exchanging the necessary documents.

Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano also confirmed the deal, revealing that the defender will sign a four-year contract. Previous reports expected him to earn a net salary of €6 million per year.