Lazio President Claudio Lotito in Advanced Negotiations to Buy Serie D Club

Lazio patron Claudio Lotito is apparently planning to acquire a new club after opening talks with the current owners of Reggina.

The Background

The Italian senator has held control over Lazio since purchasing the club in 2004, but he’s currently enduring the darkest period of his 22-year presidency, with the club’s organized fan groups in an open rebellion against him and his administration.

The club’s supporters are blaming the 69-year-old for the Biancocelesti’s ongoing decline, accusing him of putting his personal interests first. While it remains to be seen if the stadium boycott will pay dividends and force Lotito to sell Lazio, the lawyer is seemingly planning to purchase another club.

Claudio Lotito Closing in on Reggina Deal

According to Alfredo Pedulla, Lotito is in advanced negotiations to buy Reggina. As the reliable journalist explains, Matt Rizzetta thought he had an agreement to purchase the club from Antonino Ballarino, who led the consortium that acquired the Amaranto in 2023.  However, Ballarino didn’t provide the documents requested by Rizzetta, thus putting the operation on ice.

Pedulla believes this may have been a deliberate move to stall the negotiations, allowing Lotito to enter the fray. At this stage, it is believed that the talks between Rizzetta and Ballarino have practically collapsed, paving the way for the Lazio patron to seal the deal.

Lotito Had a Similar Experience at Salernitana

This wouldn’t be the first time that Lotito has purchased a club from the lower divisions. He had bought Salernitana in 2011 when the club was in Serie D, but was forced to sell the Granata when they were promoted to Serie A in 2021, as the rules prevent a person from simultaneously owning two clubs playing in the same division.

Reggina Currently Lost in Serie D Wasteland

As for Reggina, they currently lie in Serie D due to their financial collapse in 2023. The Calabrians had to start over in the fourth division after launching a phoenix club. They last played in the top flight in the 2008/09 season.