2 ex-Gunners pushing for January exits, 35% clause due

Matteo Guendouzi and Nuno Tavares are both seeking exits from Lazio, with the Serie A club braced for further departures as internal tensions reportedly.

Corriere dello Sport 6 January 2026

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reported on Tuesday that Lazio’s restructuring has begun with senior players pushing for moves, following the recent departure of Valentín (Taty) Castellanos, who has joined West Ham on a deal worth €29m.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that dissatisfaction within the squad is wider than a single player.

“Two or three other players want to leave,” Sarri said.

Guendouzi, 26, is described as being “with his suitcase in hand” and is expected to follow Castellanos out of the club.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The former Arsenal midfielder has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid, with Lazio previously indicating a willingness to discuss either a sale or a possible exchange involving Giacomo Raspadori, though significant differences in valuation remain.

Lazio are understood to value Guendouzi at €35m, with a willingness to conclude a deal closer to €30m.

Interest has also emerged from Turkey and France. Fenerbahçe are reported to have an agreement in place with Guendouzi’s representatives on personal terms, worth around €4m per season, but their offer to Lazio has so far reached only €25m, below the club’s asking price.

A return to Marseille has also been mentioned, though no formal proposal has been confirmed.

Lazio would be required to pass on 15 per cent of any resale fee to Marseille, a clause written into his deal.

Guendouzi’s agent is expected in Rome soon, with Lazio president Claudio Lotito aiming to raise at least €55m combined from the sales of Guendouzi and Castellanos.

Sarri has already made clear that losing the Frenchman would force Lazio into the market for midfield reinforcements.

“We need important players,” Sarri said.

Alongside Guendouzi, Tavares is also reportedly pushing for a move.

Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images

The 25-year-old Portuguese full-back, who joined Lazio from Arsenal, has been offered to Fenerbahçe and has received a lucrative proposal from Al-Ittihad, though the fee discussed is understood to be below €10m.

Any sale would be complicated by the 35 per cent resale clause owed to Arsenal due to the low €5m initial fee.