Alessio Romagnoli Fires Parting Shot At Claudio Lotito Before Lazio Departure: ‘Toying With Me’

Alessio Romagnoli lashed out at Lazio president Claudio Lotito ahead of his imminent departure.

Alessio Romagnoli Set For Qatar Transfer

Romagnoli was unhappy with the club’s conduct and accused them of breaking a promise to give him a pay rise.

The defender joined I Biancocelesti after leaving AC Milan in 2022, but agreed to halve his salary to push through the move. In return, he was promised an increase if he helped them qualify for the Champions League.

But, despite him playing a role in their second-placed Serie A finish in 2022-23, he did not receive the bonus.

As a result, his camp began to explore a transfer, offering him to Qatari side Al-Sadd, managed by former Azzurri head coach Roberto Mancini. He is now believed to be close to making the switch to the Middle East.

Romagnoli will walk away with a bitter taste, though.

According to Il Messaggero, he told Lotito that he wanted to leave during a heated meeting on Thursday.

Referencing his lengthy contract saga, the centre-back said: “You have been toying with me for three years.”

Lotito, however, opted to double down, responding: “Then go to [Maurizio] Sarri, who doesn’t want to lose you. Tell him that I offered you a contract extension and that it’s you who wants to leave.”

Romagnoli had already informed Sarri of his wishes on Wednesday, despite the manager’s attempts to convince him to stay. The publication, meanwhile, described Lotito’s bid to tie him down to a new deal as ‘half-hearted’.

Indeed, talks never reached an advanced stage.

Sarri had hoped the 31-year-old, who has made 143 appearances for Lazio, would have agreed to a new one-year contract. He remains the highest-paid player on the books, taking home a reported €5.5million per year.

Romagnoli is braced for a significant salary in Qatar, with a three-year contract worth €18m in total on the table.

Maurizio Sarri Resignation Threat

Tensions between Sarri and Lazio have steadily increased over recent months, as reported by FootItalia.

The icy fracture began after the club were handed a transfer ban in March 2025, with Sarri alleging he had not been made aware of the perilous financial situation.

The risk of him quitting remains, despite his public vow to supporters that he will stay.

Earlier in the window, Il Messaggero reported that Romagnoli’s potential sale could have been his final straw – a line in the sand that would have led to him resigning from his role.

But Sarri is now expected to stay until the end of the season, when discussions over his future will take place. He has also distanced himself entirely from the transfer process, pinning responsibility on Lotito.

“The president has been clear and I have stepped aside,” he said. “The important thing is not to drag me into the choices, that someone arrives and they say ‘Sarri took this one’.”