Lazio face competition from Shakhtar Donetsk for Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, but nobody is yet close to the €20m asking price.
According to O Jogo in Portugal, Shakhtar made a formal offer this week and it was rejected.
The Ukrainians were unable to deliver either the transfer fee that was requested, nor the salary package that he is asking for.
Lazio remain in the running, but Benfica are making it clear they won’t give discounts on the €20m price-tag.
Grimaldo turns 26 in September and his contract with the Portuguese side runs to June 2023.
There is a €60m release clause in the Spaniard’s current deal with Benfica.
It’s no surprise that both Lazio and Shakhtar Donetsk are seeking Grimaldo, as coaches Maurizio Sarri and Roberto De Zerbi both have similar tactical approaches.