Lazio director Igli Tare reveals they had a deadline day deal for Fabio Quagliarella and blamed Burak Yilmaz’s agent for ruining his move.
Lazio director Igli Tare reveals they had a deadline day deal for Fabio Quagliarella and blamed Burak Yilmaz’s agent for ruining his move.
It was a chaotic final day of the transfer session for the Biancocelesti, who sold Libor Kozak to Aston Villa for a reported €7m and failed to bring in a replacement.
The talks with Galatasaray for Yilmaz had appeared to be concluded when it all collapsed, reportedly due to his agent requesting a €2m signing-on fee.
“I understand the disappointment of the fans for Yilmaz, but we did everything possible. I said it wouldn’t be easy,” director of sport Tare told Lazio Style Radio.
“I will admit we tried to sign him, but what happened was very serious. An agent cannot decide the future of a player and it’s not possible that to buy a player you have to accept the economic demands of his representative.
“I am sorry that Brayan Perea’s transfer had to wait to the last second because of the non-EU places, but I can assure the supporters he is not a second choice. We need to be patient and wait before judging the squad.”
When the Yilmaz option was abandoned, Lazio dived on to Juventus striker Quagliarella, who was also wanted by Roma, West Ham and West Bromwich Albion on transfer deadline day.
“We had a basic agreement with Quagliarella, but it was all blocked at the last minute by Antonio Conte,” confirmed Tare.
“Antonio Rozzi has been loaned out to Real Madrid Castilla and will return, as this is a great possibility for him. The option to buy him is worth €18m.
“As for Kozak, his era was concluded and we thank him for what he did here.”