Lotito Confirms Two Lazio Buys, Responds to Sarri: ”He Has to Coach Them”

Lazio president Claudio Lotito confirmed the arrivals of Petar Ratkov from RB Salzburg and Kenneth Taylor from Ajax.

The Background

The Biancocelesti aren’t wasting any time in the January transfer market, making up for their lack of inactivity in the summer. The club has already sold Taty Castellanos to West Ham United, who announced the transfer on Monday. Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi bid Lazio fans farewell following Wednesday’s draw against Fiorentina, as he’s set to sign for Fenerbahce in the coming hours.

Claudio Lotito Explains Why Lazio Sold Taty Castellanos & Matteo Guendouzi

According to Lotito, the Argentine bomber and the French midfielder both wanted to leave after receiving financially lucrative proposals. As Il Messaggero reports, the Lazio president thundered out of the Olimpico one hour before the final whistle, but still managed to find a moment for a brief chat with the journalists.

I’m the longest-serving president in Italian football, and I’ve learned that anyone who doesn’t want to stay has to be let go. Castellanos asked to be sold; he’s been a serious, professional lad, just like Guendouzi. They were tempted by different financial and sporting offers and made their choice. No one is fire-selling players or the club, there is no dismantling. Until yesterday, people thought there were marginal or insignificant players in this squad, and as you’ve seen, that’s not the case.

Lazio Secured Deals for Petar Ratkov & Kenneth Taylor

Nevertheless, the club patron reassured that Lazio have already replaced the departing duo with Ratkov and Taylor, who have both arrived for medicals on Thursday.

Every player who leaves will be replaced. Guendouzi goes, Taylor comes in. The signing is a done deal. And the market doesn’t end there, because the club’s aim is to strengthen the team. We’re bringing in players who have chosen Lazio.

Lotito Responds to Maurizio Sarri?

In recent weeks, Giacomo Raspadori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were identified as Sarri’s preferred choices on the market. On the other hand, the manager admitted he doesn’t know anything about Ratkov. For his part, Lotito insisted it’s the hierarchy that makes the calls on the market, while Sarri only has to do the coaching.

Sarri does the coaching; the players are chosen by the club, and Maurizio has to train them. At Formello there is a scouting department that monitors players all over the world.