Igli Tare has told angry Lazio” data-scaytid=”2″>Lazio fans the club have not given up hope of signing Davide Astori, or for that matter Stefan De Vrij.
Igli Tare has told angry Lazio fans the club have not given up hope of signing Davide Astori, or for that matter Stefan De Vrij.
The Aquile’s chase of Italy international Astori appeared to end on Wednesday following Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini’s announcement that talks were over and that the defender had signed a new contract.
As later reports suggested this was in view of a potential loan move out to Roma, angry Lazio fans confronted their sporting director outside the team’s hotel in Auronzo, where their pre-season camp is based.
“We had an agreement with the play and with Cagliari today [Wednesday] at 12,” Lalaziosiamonoi quote Tare as answering to the group of around 50 supporters.
“Then, Astori has called me and told me that he was confused because he was hearing that we had pulled out. I explained to him that there was an agreement with everyone.
“We were correct and it’s not like reports have said. It is not true that he has gone to Roma, he has not signed.
“The only thing that is certain is that he has extended his contract with Cagliari. We will try again, it depends on him, and we will do everything possible to bring him to Lazio.”
Alongside the pursuit for Astori has been one for Feyenoord’s Stefan De Vrij, but speculation also surrounds the validity of that deal, amid apparent interest from Manchester United.
“We went to the Netherlands after having had the player’s ok. Feyenoord told us that they would not sell him before the World Cup, but that we would be the first to be called as potential buyers soon after.
“Instead, other clubs have been offered to the player.
“United? They have not signed the guy. De Vrij wants to come to us because we can offer him greater visibility, more space and a certain way of playing.
“What will happen? I’ll tell you one thing, on July 31 we will have contact with the club and we will give an answer one way or another.”
Tare was challenged to resign his position.
“Let’s wait until the end of the market and then we will see. I am showing my face, I am here to tell you the truth. I understand that we need two defenders, we will see if at the end of the market we have achieved this goal. I am ready to resign.
“Astori to Roma? Again I will say that it was a low blow. They changed something at the last moment.
“And will any more important players leave? It is a promise, no-one will leave, not even Candreva. When we are at the end of the market you can come here and I will be ready to show that I respect a promise.”
After this grilling, it was reported that in the early hours of the morning Tare met with Cagliari counterpart Francesco Marroccu in Sappada, where the Isolani are based for pre-season, and held a half-hour meeting.
It is speculated that Lazio are preparing to offer to the club the same loan-plus-purchase-option formula that Roma have apparently tabled.
Image source: lalaziosiamonoi.it