Lazio continue to pursue Santos striker Marcos Leonardo, who is eager to make the move, and could use Marcos Antonio in part-exchange.
It is no secret that the Biancocelesti have identified 20-year-old hitman Marcos Leonardo as their primary target to reinforce the attack in the Champions League this season, where he would act as understudy to Ciro Immobile.
However, the €10m proposal was rejected, as Santos are holding out for at least €12m plus a cut of the future sell-on fee.
According to Brazilian site UOL Esporte, Marcos Leonardo is enthusiastic about the project and glad that he won’t have too much pressure put on him straight away by coach Maurizio Sarri.
There is the possibility of lowering the cost of the operation by including Lazio midfielder Marcos Antonio as part of the deal.
The 23-year-old was purchased from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer for €7.5m, but did not make much of an impact in his debut season in Italy, making just 22 appearances in all competition with one goal and one assist.