Romagnoli’s Renewal On Stalemate, With Saudi Clubs On Standby To Make A Move

It’s stand-by for Alessio Romagnoli, but Lazio’s intentions are crystal clear: their defensive leader is going nowhere. With his contract set to expire in 2027, Romagnoli remains a key part of the club’s plans—especially for Maurizio Sarri, who has made it clear that the center-back will be central to rebuilding Lazio’s defense next season.

The club’s management and Romagnoli’s representatives from the Raiola group continue to discuss a contract extension. While Romagnoli joined Lazio in the summer of 2022, taking a pay cut from his Milan days, he did so based on a verbal promise: a salary adjustment if Lazio returned to the Champions League. That achievement came immediately with Sarri at the helm, but the promised increase never materialized.

“If I had to leave, I’d do it reluctantly. But it’s not up to me; there were promises that haven’t been kept,” Romagnoli admitted after a recent match against Juventus. His words underline a lingering issue the club must resolve, but for now, with Sarri back, Romagnoli is expected to stay in Rome.

Lazio has already put forward a two-year extension, keeping Romagnoli at the club until 2029, with a proposed annual salary of €3 million—the same as his current deal. However, the center-back is reportedly pushing for a higher figure, while the club insists on respecting its salary structure for financial stability.

Despite this difference, talks remain active and constructive. Romagnoli’s value to Lazio cannot be understated; he has found the back of the net five times this season across Serie A and the Europa League, further underlining his importance to the team.

Meanwhile, interest from Saudi Arabia persists, with clubs reportedly offering Romagnoli double his current salary. Lazio, however, is unwilling to let their defensive linchpin leave on the cheap, setting a minimum price of €10-15 million for any potential transfer. The club would even prefer to keep Romagnoli until his contract expires in 2027—at no financial loss—rather than sell for a cut-rate fee.

For now, the message from Formello is clear: Romagnoli is not for sale, and both sides are working to find common ground on his future in Biancoceleste colors.