Romagnoli’s Heir: Brighton Wantaway & Rising Argentine Defender on Lazio’s Shortlist

Lazio are searching the market for Alessio Romagnoli’s successor, as Diego Coppola emerges as a serious candidate.

Alessio Romagnoli is on His Way Out of Lazio

The former AC Milan captain is on the verge of finalizing his long-awaited transfer to Al-Sadd. While the negotiations between the two parties collapsed at the eleventh hour in January, the Biancocelesti have reportedly agreed to sell the 31-year-old for circa €3 million, and they’re now on the lookout for a new defender.

Lazio Considering a Move for Brighton Defender Diego Coppola

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Coppola is indeed on Lazio’s shortlist. The 22-year-old is a Hellas Verona youth product who was sold to Brighton last summer, but struggled for playing time in the Premier League. The young Italian spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Paris FC, where he locked himself a starting role.

Coppola will rejoin the Seagulls this summer, but the Roman newspaper insists that the centre-back is keen to return to Italy. It should be noted that incoming Lazio head coach, Gennaro Gattuso, had called up the former Verona player for Italy’s World Cup playoffs in March, but kept him on the sidelines.

Lautaro Rivero is Also on the Lazio Shortlist

In addition to Coppola, the source mentions Lautaro Rivero, a 22-year-old Argentine defender who has established himself as a stalwart at the back for River Plate, who have him under contract until December 2029. The Moreno native is a left-footed centre-back, making him a natural replacement for Romagnoli.

Sergi Dominguez Could Replace Alessio Romagnoli

On the other hand, Barcelona academy product Sergi Dominguez, who has been heavily linked to Lazio in recent weeks, has been identified as a replacement for Mario Gila if the latter ends up leaving the club as well in the summer.