From Toronto To Formello: Will Insigne Reunite With Sarri?

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri is hoping to pull off a nostalgic reunion by bringing Lorenzo Insigne back to Serie A, but the club’s ongoing transfer embargo could turn the dream into a race against time — and competition.

The former Napoli captain, now a free agent after terminating his contract with Toronto FC, is reportedly eager to return to Italy. And no destination makes more sense than reuniting with the coach under whom he flourished most: Sarri.

Insigne, 34, produced his most electric football under Sarri between 2015 and 2018 at Napoli, forming part of a dynamic attacking trident alongside Dries Mertens and José Callejón. Their chemistry propelled the Neapolitans to the brink of a Scudetto, and Insigne became a symbol of that thrilling era. Now, with both men open to a reunion, Lazio could provide the perfect platform for Insigne’s Serie A comeback.

According to reports from journalist Alfredo Pedullà, Sarri has personally reached out to Insigne in recent weeks. Both parties are keen, and there is a mutual understanding of what they can achieve together once again. But one major problem remains: Lazio’s inability to register new signings.

Due to financial irregularities reported in their last quarterly statement, the Roman club is under a COVISOC-imposed transfer ban until at least October. While the regular window will be closed by then, the club will still be allowed to sign and register free agents — if the ban is lifted in time.

That caveat leaves Lazio in a precarious position. The plan would be to bring Insigne into training at Formello in advance, allowing him to settle in with the squad while awaiting clearance for registration. However, there’s no guarantee the embargo will be resolved by the end of September.

In the meantime, other Serie A clubs are circling. Parma and Udinese have reportedly made discreet approaches, while Fiorentina are also monitoring the situation. These teams could offer something Lazio cannot right now — immediate playing time.

For Insigne, time is of the essence. At 34, he is determined to return to top-level football and reassert his place among Italy’s elite. Waiting months on the sidelines without certainty is a risky move for a player still hungry to compete.

Lazio, too, must move quickly. The possibility of reuniting Sarri with Insigne would not only boost morale among fans but also bring valuable experience and creativity to a team in transition.

But if the bureaucracy drags on, the Biancoceleste may once again see a golden opportunity slip through their fingers — one that might’ve rekindled the magic of a Napoli era that, for a moment, threatened to rewrite Serie A history.