[dukeofdavinci]

Lotito proud of Jan business Monday 4 February, 2008

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Lazio chief Claudio Lotito has denied reports that Rolando Bianchi is commanding a mega salary and is delighted with his January dealings.

The capital club were last season’s surprise package in Serie A when they finished in third place, but they have suffered a miserable start to this campaign.

However, after signing Rolando Bianchi, David Rozehnal, Stefan Radu and Ousmane Dabo in January, the Biancocelesti responded with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria yesterday.

“This team is back on track and getting results,” Lotito told Radio Anch’io Sport. “Our winter signings were a gamble that will pay off.

“The integration of new players will give a stimulus to the entire squad – a squad that came third last year.

We couldn’t have foreseen the injuries in the summer, so we had to respond to them in January - even yesterday we had to play with 11 men missing.”

French midfielder Dabo returned to the Stadio Olimpico having left for Manchester City in 2006.

“Ousmane left because he asked for a salary that was three times the sum we could agree to,” Lotito revealed.

“He made a financial decision and left, but now he has returned at a reasonable rate and I am happy with that.”

The big business of the winter was the addition of former Reggina marksman Bianchi, who commanded a huge fee, but Lotito insists that his salary isn’t astronomical.

“Bianchi chose Lazio because he believed in the project,” he maintained.

“The talk about £650,000 signing-on fees and £225,000 straight to Bianchi are totally unfounded.

“Rolando is within our financial parameters. Anyone who comes here must be compatible.”

Coach Delio Rossi has been tipped by some sections of the Press as a replacement for Edy Reja at Napoli, but Lotito is adamant that his tactician isn’t going anywhere.

“It’s a mystery where these rumours start,” he said. “Rossi is our boss until 2009.

“The club renewed his contract and he doesn’t seem like the kind of man to go back on that.”




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