Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has indicated that Manuel Lazzari could leave the Serie A outfit amid interest from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to La Lazio Siamo Noi.
Handed a rare start by Antonio Conte on Wednesday night, Matt Doherty didn’t exactly seize his chance during the EFL Cup quarter-final clash with West Ham United.
Not for the first time in his Tottenham career, the former Wolves flyer struggled to produce anything of note in the final third, his final ball once again leaving a lot to be desired.
The jury remains out on Emerson Royal too while Japhet Tanganga, who featured as a right-wing-back in Spurs’ recent 3-0 thumping of Norwich City, hardly feels like a natural fit in Conte’s 3-4-2-1 jigsaw.
Enter Lazzari, then.
The 28-year-old Italy international is one of Serie A’s most productive right-backs and, according to SportMediaset, has been identified by Conte as one of his top targets for 2022.
Will Tottenham make Manuel Lazzari Conte’s first signing?
“I understand that, in the Premier League, Conte prefers to have ‘physical’ players,” former Serie A skipper Massimo Brambati said earlier this month.
“You can have running ability but, if you don’t have the physical structure, you struggle. (Lazzari) has the running ability, he has the right characteristics.”
Lazzari only joined Lazio from SPAL in a £9 million deal two-and-a-half years ago. But the Biancocelesti are unlikely to stand in his way should the late-blooming full-back look to move on again in the near future.
“You know very well that our (ability to sign new players) is linked to exits,” admits Sarri, giving credence to claims that Lazio may have to sell Lazzari to raise funds for Chelsea benchwarmer Emerson Palmieri (Il Messaggero).
“You will have to see who leaves. Lazzari? I don’t know. Anyone with a strong request (to leave) can be an option.”
Sarri did indicate that he may prefer to have a taller option at full-back than the 5ft 8ins Lazzari, highlighting the Italian’s struggles when dealing with high balls to the far post.
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