Hallucinatory situation in Serie A » The former captain has already parted with his colleagues, but the president refuses the transfer!
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, January 26, 2026, 1:16 p.m. / Updated Monday, January 26, 2026, 1:22 p.m.
Alessio Romagnoli wept in front of Lazio fans in Lecce on Saturday after his last game for the Biancocelesti, a 0-0 draw at Via del Mare, as he prepares to leave for Qatar. It's just that the president Claudio Lotito gave a statement, in which he announced that he opposes the transfer of the 31-year-old central defender to Al-Sadd!
Chaos has taken over Lazio in 2026. Nobody understands anything that happens at the Capitoline club since Claudio Lotito announced that the boss decides everything in his house. An attitude similar to the policy of the financier of the Superliga champion.
30millions of euros invested in this transfer period by Lazio for acquisitions: midfielder Kenneth Taylor, coming from Ajax, and striker Petar Ratkov (Salzburg)
“Romagnoli has never been transferable and remains a Lazio player. He is a key element of our sporting project”
Having already sold two starters to Maurizio Sarri, Taty Castellanos (West Ham) and Matteo Guendouzi (Fenerbahce), and collected 57 million euros, the contested and controversial president caused another improbable, even shocking situation in the dressing room.
Alessio Romagnoli tearfully parted ways with Lazio supporters after the match at Lecce (0-0) on Saturday / Photo: Imago
Lotito has refused to call up Alessio Romagnoli, who lost his captain's armband on Sarri's return, for contract extension negotiations.
Alessio Romagnoli has never been transferable and remains a Lazio player. Despite several requests received in recent weeks, the club remains determined to keep a player considered a key element of the sporting project, in terms of his technical, human and team leadership qualities
– Lazio's official statement
The Italian stopper got tired of waiting and, although he thought he would end his career at the Biancocelesti, being a fan of this team from a young age, he accepted an offer from Qatar.
Only when he found out that Romagnoli wants to go to Al-Sadd, the team coached by Roberto Mancini, Lotito thought of proposing to him the renewal of the agreement due in 2027. But Alessio does not consider the offer and has already said goodbye to his colleagues in the dressing room!
Romagnoli is attracted with 18 million euros for three years
Moreover, Romagnoli gave his word to the Qataris, who reserved plane tickets for him on Sunday, but also today! “The deal seemed so close to completion.
Alessio Romagnoli could become the third player sold by Lazio in January 2026, after Taty Castellanso (pictured, right) and Matteo Guendouzi / Photo: Imago
The footage of the match on Lecce's Via del Mare left little room for interpretation, with the emotional greeting to the fans in the away section, the applause and that hand on the chest signifying unconditional love.
6million euros is the net annual salary offered to Alessio Romagnoli by Al-Sadd, where he is guaranteed a contract until 2029
“But it turned around overnight. Maurizio Sarri's threats probably pushed Claudio Lotito to back down and change his mind.
But it remains to be seen what Romagnoli will do, because he still seems eager to leave Lazio and could insist on a transfer”, writes the Sportmediaset agency.
Should Romagnoli leave, Lazio could collect €9-10m and Lotito would save €8m on his gross salary for the last half year of his contract (Alessio is the best paid of the lot, with 3 million net).
