Claudio Lotito Brutally Hits Out At Giacomo Raspadori After Lazio Snub: ‘Is He Maradona?’
The striker turned down the Biancocelesti and could join Roma instead.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has hit out at Giacomo Raspadori after being snubbed by the striker.
Giacomo Raspadori Rejected Lazio Transfer Approach
Raspadori could leave Atletico Madrid this month, with Roma in pole position for his signature. As reported by FootItalia, the Giallorossi saw an improved loan bid knocked back in December.
With several clubs in the hunt, Lazio are believed to have also expressed their interest.
It has been a busy window already for the Biancoceleste, who have sold Taty Castellanos and Matteo Guendouzi to West Ham and Fenerbahce, respectively.
In their place, striker Petar Ratkov arrived from Red Bull Salzburg while midfielder Kenneth Taylor will join from Ajax. Damningly, boss Maurizio Sarri admitted he had not heard of Ratkov before he joined.
However, they had also made an enquiry for Raspadori in their pursuit of a new frontman, only to be rebuffed.
Clearly, Lotito did not take kindly to the setback. Speaking to the press at an event celebrating Lazio’s 126th anniversary this week, the 68-year-old brutally hit back at the player by bizarrely referencing Diego Maradona.
“Names are put forward, and the club goes after the profiles it deems suitable to buy,” said Lotito. “And what happens then? We go after two players who didn’t want to come to Lazio.
“They were contacted and said, ‘No thanks, I’m not interested.’ So, what am I supposed to do?”
A journalist then asked whether he had been alluding to Raspadori’s rejection, to which the owner replied: “That’s the problem, but who is Raspadori? Is he Maradona or something?
“He’s never played at Atletico or anywhere else before. We’ll see which is better, our striker or him.”
Roma Pushing Hard For Giacomo Raspadori
Roma are determined to push ahead with a deal for Raspadori and want to seal a deal this month. They would prefer a loan switch with a purchase option, but Atletico are continuing to hold out for a higher fee.
According to Spanish publication AS, the Giallorossi’s latest proposal was a €2million loan with an option to buy worth €17m. The offer was a follow-up to a previous approach, which was firmly knocked back.
Atletico do not want to let the ace leave for less than the €22m they signed him for from Napoli in August 2025.
Raspadori is known to be unhappy with his limited minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano this season and wants more game time, especially with next summer’s World Cup now rapidly approaching.
FootItalia previously reported that Raspadori is keen on Roma. However, an agreement has still not materialised.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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