Sarri fuming as Lazio sign unknown Austrian league striker instead of Raspadori
Maurizio Sarri has publicly criticized Lazio's transfer policy after the club signed RB Salzburg's Petar Ratkov when the manager wanted Napoli's Giacomo Raspadori.
Maurizio Sarri has finally lost his rag with Lazio’s transfer dealings, making it crystal clear he’s not exactly chuffed with the club’s winter window strategy.
”Who’s this geezer, then?”
The former Chelsea and Juventus boss has gone public with his frustrations after Lazio splashed €13 million on RB Salzburg striker Petar Ratkov - a player Sarri admits he knows absolutely nothing about.
In a proper toe-curling press conference, Sarri didn’t mince his words: “I don’t know Ratkov and I don’t follow the Austrian league.”
The Italian tactician was apparently expecting the club to sign Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori - who now looks destined for bitter rivals Roma instead. Talk about a right kick in the teeth!
Cash over class?
Sarri’s frustrations don’t end there. Lazio have just flogged two key players:
- Mattéo Guendouzi to Fenerbahçe for €28 million
- ‘Taty’ Castellanos to West Ham for €29 million
On Guendouzi’s departure, a clearly deflated Sarri explained: “He was one of 7 or 8 players we were counting on to build this team’s future, but the directors received an offer they couldn’t turn down.”
The bigger picture
The whole situation reeks of a club prioritizing the balance sheet over the gaffer’s vision. Sarri seems resigned to his fate, acknowledging the club’s financial reality while making it abundantly clear he’s not involved in transfer decisions.
“There’s a reality on the pitch and an economic reality at this club. I understand my directors’ decision,” Sarri admitted with all the enthusiasm of a man who’s just found his car’s been clamped.
With Raspadori potentially strengthening their city rivals and Sarri publicly distancing himself from the Ratkov signing, the atmosphere at Lazio is looking about as harmonious as rush hour on the Northern Line.