Palladino Wants Reunion With Departing Lazio Stalwart at Bologna

Bologna head coach Raffaele Palladino is reportedly interested in a new collaboration with Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi.

The 32-year-old spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Fiorentina, cementing himself as a regular starter in Palladino’s lineup. The young tactician left Florence at the end of the season, so the Tuscan club opted against exercising the option to buy the player from Lazio.

Cataldi’s homecoming proved vital for Maurizio Sarri, who heavily relied on him last season while Nicolo Rovella was unavailable. But this season, Reda Belahyane has been exceptional in the regista role. Therefore, many observers believe Cataldi is already surplus to requirements at Lazio, with Gennaro Gattuso likely to favour Rovella or Belahyane if all three are available.

In recent days, it has been reported that the Biancocelesti have decided against renewing Cataldi’s expiring contract. Therefore, the Lazio youth product is expected to leave the club in 2027, either as a free agent in the summer or perhaps as early as January.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Palladino is looking to reunite with his former Fiorentina pupil. The 42-year-old was appointed at Bologna following Domenico Tedesco’s swift sacking in September. While the Italian tactician has already turned the Emilians’ fortunes with a positive run, he is adamant about signing a new central midfielder in January, with Cataldi at the top of his shortlist.

Palladino’s other options are AC Milan outcast Warren Bondo, who had also played under his guidance at Monza, and Parma’s Christian Ordonez.

Lazio would likely welcome the idea. While it is unlikely to yield a significant transfer fee considering Cataldi’s age and expiring contract, it would allow them to ditch his salary off the wage bill. Capology estimates the midfielder’s gross salary for the 2026/27 season at circa €2.8 million in addition to €700,000 in bonuses.