Who Lazio Want To Sign In January To Replace Guendouzi And Castellanos
Lazio must be careful not to end up going backwards in the January window.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 06 January 2026
Lazio are shaping their January plans around two major changes after Taty Castellanos joined West Ham and Matteo Guendouzi closes in on a move to Fenerbahce.
Lazio face Guendouzi decision as Fenerbahce talks advance
Fenerbahce have an agreement in principle with Guendouzi and are now working to close the gap with Lazio, according to Calciomercato.
The parties are apparently getting closer and closer and the deal could be closed for €30m.
Guendouzi has already said goodbye to all his teammates at Lazio, added the report.
The Biancocelesti are now looking for replacements to ensure a relatively seamless transition should Guendouzi leave.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is Maurizio Sarri’s first-choice target in midfield, according to Corriere dello Sport. He worked with him at Chelsea.
However, the Biancocelesti are yet to make an offer to AC Milan for the 11-cap England international.
Lazio are also eyeing Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian as a possible alternative, with a first offer in preparation.
Lazar Samardzic has also been discussed as Lazio look for a new “mezzala” profile to compensate for Guendouzi’s intensity.
Marco Brescianini, one of Samardzic’s teammates at Atalanta, is also reportedly on Lazio’s radar.
Striker shortlist grows after Castellanos exit
Castellanos’ departure has left Lazio needing a new number nine, and the club have been linked with multiple options.
FootItalia previously reported that Andrea Pinamonti is a candidate for the central Italian club.
Lazio apparently view the Sassuolo striker as a realistic, Serie A-proven target.
Giacomo Raspadori has also been mentioned, with Lazio reportedly attempting to move ahead of Roma in the race for the Atletico Madrid forward.
Other names on the rumour mill include Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Alaves striker Gonzalo Panichelli.
Lazio narrowly missed out on Europe last season and they’re currently six points adrift of the Europa Conference League position.
This will be a very important transfer window for Sarri and co to strengthen their ranks in pursuit of Europe.
However, with one key player leaving and another closing in on an exit, Lazio must be careful not to end up going backwards.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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