Lazio Calciomercato Thread

[dukeofdavinci]

Lazio to grab Granoche? Thursday 10 April, 2008

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Lazio have overtaken Parma in the race for the signature of Triestina striking star Pablo Granoche.

Granoche has been outstanding in a mediocre Serie B side and has fired 20 goals this term for the mid-table Alarbadati.

The Uruguayan hitman arrived from Mexican Second Division outfit Coatzacoalcos in pre-season for around £600,000 but is expected to fetch around double that fee now.

Parma had been leading the chase for the 24-year-old, but it seems that the new suitor has caught his imagination.

“I came to Italy hoping to play in Serie A,” Granoche explained in the Messaggero.

“It would be a dream to play for Lazio. I am not a very technical player, but I am powerful. My idol has always been Gabriel Batistuta.”

Triestina President Stefano Fantinel has claimed that he wants to keep Granoche and build a squad around him to challenge for promotion next year.

But it seems unlikely that the Stadio Nereo Rocco side could turn down a bid of over £500,000 and they surely wouldn’t stand in the way of a move to the top flight.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[D-Kin]

Lazio zoom in on Zarate Saturday 28 June, 2008

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Lazio have joined the race to sign Mauro Zarate, but their main target remains Rodrigo Palacio.

Zarate’s spell at Birmingham City ended in the summer and negotiations must now be held with the club that owns his contract, Arabian side Al Sadd.

It is reported they have requested £20m for a permanent signing, though the Biancocelesti cannot afford such a large expenditure under President Claudio Lotito’s notoriously strict regime.

If Lazio were to take on Zarate, it would be on loan worth £1.5m with the fixed buy-out clause for £9.5m.

Portsmouth are also in the hunt for a similar temporary deal to bring the 21-year-old Argentine back to Britain.

Zarate is seen as an alternative to the main choice, Boca Juniors forward Palacio.

Here too Lazio face competition from Barcelona, although the Spaniards are yet to make an official bid.

Lotito already has a good rapport with Boca after bringing in Palacio’s former teammate Juan Pablo Carrizo.

Should both these South American swoops fail, then the standby alternative is homegrown Nicola Amoruso.

The veteran striker has made it clear he is unhappy with Reggina’s transfer policy and would prefer a transfer this summer.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Zarate is quality, it's no surprise top European clubs are being linked with him.

[kyan]

Zarate: I Sign For Lazio On Saturday

The player earlier admitted that he would be announcing details of the switch following his loan spell with Birmingham City from Quatari side Al-Sadd.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito claimed the player is better than Lionel Messi. Hopefully, he is for Lotito’s sake, or the outspoken chief will no doubt be eating humble pie if the player doesn’t live up to expectations.

“I will be in Rome on Saturday to sign my contract and to undergo a medical,” Zarate told Radio 6.

“A lot of Argentines have worn the Lazio shirt in the past and I am delighted to arrive in Rome.

“I know that the fans here are waiting for me and I am hoping to have a good season. I can’t wait to start playing as I want to show my capabilities.”

The 21-year-old striker moved to Al-Sadd last year after the club bought him from Velez Sarsfield. Lazio missed out on the UEFA Cup last season after a less than perfect campaign.

No doubt Lotito will be hoping his new hit-man can fire his side back to the glory days.

Goal.com - Lazio - Zarate: I Sign For Lazio On Saturday

I was hoping he'd stay in the Premiership, he's a fantastic finisher and really good dribbler. He deserves to be playing for a big club.

[D-Kin]

From what I've seen he looks very impressive, especially for his age.

If it goes through, what a signing.