Corriere della Sera: Lazio Monitoring Free-Agent Centre-Back Alaba, but Talks Have Not Become Concrete

According to Corriere della Sera, Lazio are monitoring free-agent centre-back Alaba, but the related contact has not yet become concrete.

The Serie A club are looking for a new centre-back after Romagnoli left on Thursday. The 31-year-old Romagnoli has joined Qatar side Al Sadd.

With the transfer windows of many major European leagues already closed, Lazio sporting director Angelo Fabiani spoke about strengthening the squad: “The free-agent market is always open. I would rather leave a few places available in the squad so we can closely observe these situations.” However, according to Corriere della Sera, Lazio’s contact with Alaba has not yet turned into concrete action.

Lazio have made a good start to the season. The team kept clean sheets in their first two Serie A matches and are currently sixth in the standings. Under Gattuso, the team won 1-0 against Bologna and Genoa. At the time, the centre-back pairing was Denmark international Provstgaard and former Bundesliga player Danilo Duki.

Based on Lazio’s criteria for signing free agents, Alaba fits the requirements well. The former Bayern player’s contract with Real Madrid expired in June, after he had spent five years at the club. Since then, he has been searching for a new team. Despite many rumours, he has yet to find a new destination. Recently, he has also been linked with Al Sadd and MLS champions Inter Miami. In May, there were also reports that Red Bull Salzburg were interested in bringing him back.

Alaba has maintained his physical condition and competitive level, which he demonstrated at this summer’s World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Despite repeatedly suffering injuries in the past, he captained Austria and played every match, including the round-of-16 defeat to eventual champions Spain.

Alaba spent most of his career wearing the Bayern shirt, winning 10 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies with the club. In 2021, he joined Real Madrid as a free agent, and the transfer was not without difficulties. During his time at Real Madrid, he won the Champions League twice more, but suffered a serious knee injury in December 2023 and was sidelined for more than a year. Since the 2023/24 season, he has missed a total of 109 matches for club and country.