Lazio’s squad-list question has narrowed to one name: Luca Pellegrini. With other departures resolved after the main transfer window, the left-back remains unavailable for Serie A selection despite continuing to train under Gennaro Gattuso at Formello.
Pellegrini’s place remains open
Pellegrini was initially left out of the league squad while Lazio waited for the closure of the remaining foreign markets. Romagnoli and Patric subsequently found exits, with Patric joining Al-Ittifaq, but Pellegrini’s proposed move did not develop.
- Lazio made contact with Al-Ittifaq over Pellegrini, but talks did not lead to a transfer.
- The defender stayed at Formello and has worked with Gattuso, although he cannot currently be called up for Serie A matches.
- In recent hours, Lazio have begun considering whether to restore him to the registered squad.
- The club have until tomorrow to add him back to the list, which would make him eligible for the bench against Monza.
There is no final decision yet. Gattuso has not opposed Pellegrini’s return, making clear throughout that the matter rests with the club rather than the coach.
A possible internal solution
The arrival of Diogo Leite has left Lazio with two spaces in their league list. One could be used for Pellegrini, turning an excluded player into an internal option for the coming months.
That choice would take Lazio’s number of full-backs back to six. On the right, Gattuso has Marusic, Floriani and Lazzari; on the left, Tavares, Pedraza and Pellegrini would be available.
The club could also register one unattached player before December, from those who became free agents on 30 June, but no move for a free agent is currently expected at Formello. Pellegrini is therefore the more immediate solution, should Lazio decide to use the opening.
January planning depends on the financial ruling
Pellegrini, like Lazzari, Cataldi and Cancellieri, is listed as being under contract until 2027. No renewal discussions have taken place. If he returns to the squad, his position is likely to be reviewed again during the January window. If he remains outside the project, he could leave on a free transfer in June.
Lazio’s wider winter strategy will depend on the verdict from the supervisory commission. The club are awaiting confirmation on whether they will be able to operate at a zero balance or face a complete restriction on business, unless Claudio Lotito injects funds.
The financial assessment reflects Lazio’s position as of 30 September, with the decision expected at the beginning of December. Until then, Pellegrini’s registration is a small but meaningful issue in a season where the club’s room to manoeuvre may soon be defined beyond the training ground.
