Lazio President Claudio Lotito maintains he “waged a war to the death” with agents and ultras, including the Keita Balde Diao saga.
The striker’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season and all summer was a battle behind the scenes.
Lotito claimed they had turned down more lucrative offers from Milan, Napoli and West Ham United in favour of Juventus, but he was eventually sold to Monaco for €30m.
Lazio President Claudio Lotito maintains he “waged a war to the death” with agents and ultras, including the Keita Balde Diao saga.
The striker’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season and all summer was a battle behind the scenes.
Lotito claimed they had turned down more lucrative offers from Milan, Napoli and West Ham United in favour of Juventus, but he was eventually sold to Monaco for €30m.
This is not the version of events given by Keita’s representative Roberto Calenda.
It was only the latest bitter fight between Lazio and representatives, earning them the reputation as a very tough club to negotiate with.
“Agents threatened me, saying they would not let their players take to the field anymore, as they demanded the right to choose where their players went and at what price. I waged a war to the death against them,” Lotito told Il Foglio newspaper.
“I took over Lazio in 2004 running at an annual loss of €85.6m and with €550m in debts. This year we’ll close with a profit of €30m.
“I could’ve covered the debt straight away, but that would’ve only been a temporary safety valve. Now Lazio are a club that can stand on their own two feet. It’s easy to give people what they want to be popular, but you won’t really be changing anything.
“The fans protested against me, went on strike and the stadium was empty. I told the supporters they were welcome, but could not hold power over the decisions of the club.”