A general agreement has already been reached with the 21-year-old midfielder, a response from the Spanish club is awaited
The mission to Spain carried out by sporting director Fabiani in recent days had multiple objectives. Not just to make one last attempt for Toth (his club, Ferencvaros, is in retreat on the Iberian peninsula) and not even just to secure the agreement with Pedraza for next season. The real objective was another, that of laying the foundations for making the third purchase of this winter transfer window. Whose name may be that of the Spanish midfielder Rodri Mendoza. With Toth faded and the Fabbian operation being too costly (not only that, however, there is also another perplexity about the Bologna player: he has characteristics too similar to those of Taylor) Lazio have decided to bet everything on the young Spaniard to fill the gap they still have to fill in midfield.
the negotiation
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Contacts with the player’s club and his entourage have been positive. This does not mean, however, that the negotiation is downhill. Far from it. The discussion is certainly well underway with the player, also because the agents are the same as Pedraza (the left back, out of contract with Villarreal, with whom an agreement has already been reached for the next seasons). Mendoza would be happy to move to Italy, among other things with Elche he has recently experienced a few too many bench games, a situation that pushes him to change the scene. The economic topic relating to the contract was only touched upon, but there should be no problems in finding an agreement. The real obstacle is instead finding an agreement with the club. Which values the player at around 25 million. It is actually a “negotiable” price, but up to a certain point. However, Lazio believes in the player’s qualities and seems willing to make an offer that, including bonuses, is close to 20 million. On this basis the deal can go through quickly. And in fact the next few days will be decisive in understanding whether the operation can take off or not.
the right pawn
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Mendoza will turn 21 on March 15th. Given his age, his possible purchase would above all constitute an investment for the future. It would therefore fall within the scope of the rejuvenation policy that the club is pursuing since this transfer session (and which also includes the purchases of Ratkov and Taylor). But, as with the two players already taken, Mendoza would also be an element that can be used immediately. Not only for the future, therefore, but also for the present. He is a technical midfielder, but also of substance. In his club he also played as an attacking midfielder on more than one occasion, but was mainly deployed as an inside player, both on the right and on the left. In Lazio he would be, at least in the immediate future, a precious piece for the midfield department to add to those already present. Belahyane (who can go to Cremonese) should make room in the list for a midfield which, with Rovella’s recovery, would have starters and alternatives of the same level. Mendoza is an under-21 international for Spain and is considered an element with a certain future in his country. This is also why it has a high cost. But Lazio seems intent not to be scared by it, confident in the quality of the operation.
tavares-dortmund
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Meanwhile, while the Rayan lead is fading (Bournemouth took the lead with a 35 million offer) on the exit front the Cancellieri-Brentford lead is cooling down. The English did not raise the initial offer of 12 million and Sarri also asked the club not to sell the player. For Tavares, however, there is a suitor who joins Besiktas and Al Ittihad: it is Borussia Dortmund. The German club, however, has currently only had contact with the player’s entourage.
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