Newcastle, Fulham snubbed as 27-year-old takes less cash for rival move

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Alessio Romagnoli has now decided to accept Lazio’s offer to join the Serie A side on a free transfer from AC Milan, despite him earning less than interest from Newcastle and Fulham.

That’s according to Calciomercato, who report the centre-half will follow Nicolo Casale and Mario Gila in strengthening Maurizio Sarri’s backline. The Biancocelesti have secured deals for the trio of defenders after ending the last league season in fifth with the 10th-best line.

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Romagnoli has studied Lazio’s offer for some time after leaving AC Milan when his contract expired on June 30. The Italian had spent the past seven years at the San Siro after joining from Roma in a €25m (£21m) plus add-ons move, during which he made 247 appearances.

Lazio will pay Romagnoli a base salary of €3m-a-year (£49k-a/w) to now return to Rome at the club he supported in his youth. The 27-year-old can also earn a further €500k (£423k) annually in bonuses, while the contract will tie him down at the Stadio Olimpico until 2027.

Sarri envisages Romagnoli acting as the leader of his backline, as he did at AC Milan as the Rossoneri’s captain. The 12-cap international will form a new-look unit beside Casale, who finalised a move from Hellas Verona on Friday for €7m (£6m) plus €3m (£2.5m) in add-ons.

Alessio Romagnoli snubs Fulham, Newcastle interest for less cash at Lazio

Fulham had pushed hard in recent weeks to overtake interest from Lazio to sign Romagnoli as a free agent. TuttoMercatoWEB also reported the Craven Cottage natives offered him a €4m-a-year (£65k-a/w) contract, with Marco Silva serious about him moving to England.

Romagnoli held off on discussing Fulham’s interest further while he waited to learn if Lazio would improve their offer. His stance also saw the Anzio-born enforcer hold off on a move to St James’ Park, as SS Lazio News also reported Newcastle offered him a €4m-a-year deal.

In the end, an opportunity to play for the club he supported as a youth seems to have been enough for Romagnoli to snub interest from Fulham and Newcastle, plus the extra money.