Lazio’s Manuel Lazzari could join Inter as a replacement for Achraf Hakimi with the Moroccan set to depart for Paris Saint-Germain, with the Italian the first choice of head coach Simone Inzgahi.
This is according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim that the incoming Inter manager wants to bring the 27-year-old with him from Rome.
Hakimi’s likely imminent departure will leave a vacancy in the Nerazzurri’s squad, which the club will try and fill by signing a player comfortable on the right side of the pitch who has the right qualities for Inzaghi’s tactical setup.
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is thought to be a possibility with the Spaniard having been a target of the Nerazzurri in the past, and Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta is another low-cost option who would bring pace and reliability into the squad, and can play on both the right and left sides of the team.
However, it is Lazzari who the incoming manager hopes to bring in.
The 27-year-old Italian is a player who Inzaghi asked Lazio to sign from SPAL while he was Biancocelesti manager, and has been the undisputed first-choice option on the right the past two seasons under Inzaghi.
Should the Italian tactician reunite with the player immediately at Inter there should be little adjustment period as the two men know each other well and have good tactical chemistry.
Moreover, Lazzari is not thought to be considered suitable for the 4-3-3 system preferred by new Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri, and this could lead to him being sold by the club.
It remains to be seen however whether the Biancocelesti would be amenable to negotiating with the Nerazzurri over the sale of the player, with developments expected in the near future.
