Lazio Director: If Frattesi Wants to Leave, Even €50 Million May Not Keep Him

According to Di Marzio, Lazio sporting director Fabiani discussed the club's objectives, Frattesi's future and fan protests at Diogo Leite's presentation press conference.

Angelo Fabiani discussed several topics at the press conference. He began with the transfer market, criticizing the rule that allows clubs to sign only two free agents in each transfer window: "We signed free agents below market value, and this should be a good thing for any club." He also said: "I have never gambled; some players perhaps did not meet expectations. Lazio will continue, as it has done in recent years, to honor all commitments."

Fabiani also spoke about Lazio's current focal player Frattesi: "We know these players represent Lazio's future. We are confident we can meet the team's needs, then we will evaluate their performances on the pitch and may also change our strategy." Fabiani revealed that Gattuso had given clear advice: "He said he wanted to work with players who wanted to come to Lazio."

Speaking about player sales, Fabiani said: "If a Premier League club is willing to offer €50 million for Frattesi, and he scores three goals in three matches and wants to leave himself, how can you tell him not to go? We have not pushed anyone out of Lazio."

Fabiani also discussed the futures of Patric and Pellegrini: "There are still two places available, and as we have always said, the transfer market never stops. As long as the club sees an opportunity to further strengthen the squad, it will make evaluations."

Regarding the club's market index, Fabiani said: "Every signing affects the index. I want everyone to be reassured that, as always, Lazio has the ability to complete transfers. We have also continued to increase the value of the team's player assets. Today I said Lazio's value could reach around €400 million, and this is not empty talk."

Fabiani said: "I think the team has already been strengthened, and ultimately the pitch will decide. It is not yet time to draw conclusions, because winning two matches means a lot, but it could also mean nothing." He also set this season's objective: "We cannot be distracted by praise; football is a very cruel thing. We hope to achieve the minimum target and bring Lazio back to European competition. If we fail to achieve the target, I will not do anything; the club owners will make an evaluation, and only then can we summarize the gains and losses."

Regarding fan protests, Fabiani said Lazio supporters have refused to attend home matches since last season as a protest against chairman Claudio Lotito. He admitted the situation was not simple: "It is not easy without fans. In the long term, fans can bring more points. Last weekend I watched several matches, and some teams turned results around precisely because of the energy provided by their supporters."

Fabiani added: "When I mentioned taking a step back, it was not aimed at the fans. We need to find a way together and reach common ground. The fans are not present because they made this decision, and we respect that decision, but we will continue to give our full effort. Let's see whether time can improve the situation."

Speaking about the conflict between fans and Lotito, Fabiani said: "I can only speak for Angelo Mariano Fabiani; I cannot speak for the fans or for Lotito. I think this matter must be faced, but I am neither a politician nor the chairman. This is not good for the fans, the team or Lotito, and solving this problem is not difficult."

Fabiani reiterated that both sides need to take a step forward to reconcile: "If everyone keeps clashing head-on, a solution will never be found. I invite everyone, including chairman Lotito, to address this issue directly. I believe he would not be happy with the situation either, but I am not anyone's lawyer; I am only responsible for my own actions."

Regarding his own future, Fabiani said: "My future has never been a topic of discussion, and I will not think about contract renewal. As long as I am here, I will work for Lazio's interests."

Regarding transfers, Fabiani defended some operations that had received criticism: "Someone told me Belahyane was just a small player, but when you put him on the pitch, he can produce an important performance. If we signed a player who is proving to be important for Lazio, we already knew these players represented Lazio's future."

Fabiani also discussed Gila's sale: "I rejected AC Milan's €25 million offer, which was already a lot for a player whose contract was about to expire. Later they increased it to €30 million. The player wanted to join a club he believed could improve his situation, and we fulfilled his wish."

After Gila and Romagnoli left, Doigui and Diogo Leite joined Lazio. Speaking about Diogo Leite, Fabiani said: "Every operation is different. Regarding Diogo Leite, the fact is that if Romagnoli had not left, we would have had three left-footed center-backs, which would have become a problem. I knew they would drag negotiations with Romagnoli until the end because they wanted a free release, but the club's strength was insisting on its position. Romagnoli's departure required a fee, this happened in September, and then Diogo Leite arrived at Lazio. We had contacted him several years ago; he is a player we know well, and later some colleagues said he was not Lazio's target."