Atalanta ready to pounce as Al-Sadd stall over Lazio's Romagnoli
Quick summary
Atalanta are positioned to sign Lazio defender Alessio Romagnoli after Qatari club Al-Sadd stalled in negotiations, according to reports.
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Attributed to original sourceAlessio Romagnoli’s future remains up in the air, with Al-Sadd struggling to finalise a move for the Lazio defender, and Atalanta ready to step in should the Qatari deal collapse.
According to LaLazioSiamoNoi , relaying Corriere dello Sport, Romagnoli is holding out for a switch abroad, which remains his priority.
Al-Sadd have returned with fresh payment terms for the €3m they have offered Lazio, and Claudio Lotito has responded with a counter-proposal, leaving both parties awaiting the next move. The signals had not been especially encouraging as recently as 48 hours ago, but the coming hours could prove decisive.
Part of the hold-up lies with Al-Sadd themselves, who are said to be grappling with financial constraints that have complicated their pursuit.
For Romagnoli, the appeal of the move is both the substantial financial package on offer and, the reports suggest, a wish to leave Italy out of respect for the Lazio support, a fanbase he saluted with a video message during the mass protest against the club’s ownership on 2 July.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Alessio Romagnoli of SS Lazio celebrates a opening goal during the Coppa Italia semi-final match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images) Atalanta and Sarri wait in the wings for Romagnoli Should the Al-Sadd deal fall through, the picture would change quickly. The defender would then begin to weigh the alternatives already on the table, and chief among them is Atalanta.
The Bergamo side are boosted by the presence of Maurizio Sarri, who worked with Romagnoli at Lazio, considers him a priority target and has already made personal contact with the player.
For now, all eyes are on Doha and whether Al-Sadd can meet Lotito’s terms. If they cannot, Sarri and Atalanta are poised to capitalise on a defender who could yet remain in Serie A after all.
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What happened
Italian centre-back Alessio Romagnoli, currently at Lazio, appeared close to a move to Qatari side Al-Sadd, but that deal has reportedly stalled. Atalanta have now emerged as suitors ready to step in. The potential transfer would see Romagnoli join a Serie A rival rather than move abroad, providing depth and experience to Atalanta's defensive line. The outcome depends on whether the Al-Sadd move collapses entirely and Atalanta can agree personal terms.
Chance analysis
Romagnoli is an experienced Italian defender whose potential availability could meaningfully impact Atalanta's defensive depth for the remainder of the campaign. If Atalanta secure him, it strengthens their backline options, while Lazio losing a squad player without a fee to a domestic rival is a slight negative. The stalled Al-Sadd deal gives Atalanta leverage but also introduces uncertainty over timing and wage demands.
Atalanta would gain experienced defensive reinforcement; Lazio would lose a squad defender, potentially weakening depth in a congested fixture schedule.
Monitor Atalanta's defensive depth and Lazio's squad composition if Romagnoli moves, as this affects Serie A title-race and European qualification predictions.