Lazio agree Benfica deal for Ivanović but Lens await player's call
Quick summary
Lazio have reached an agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Ivanović, but French club Lens are still waiting on the player's decision before the move can be finalized.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceLazio have moved to the front of the queue for Franjo Ivanović, reaching an agreement with Benfica for the Croatian striker, though the final decision now rests with the player.
According to Corriere dello Sport , the Biancocelesti have accelerated sharply for the forward, who had long sat atop Gennaro Gattuso’s wishlist alongside Milan’s Santiago Giménez.
Crucially, and unlike Milan, Benfica have opened to a loan with an option to buy, the formula favoured by Claudio Lotito this summer, that would become an obligation should certain conditions, likely European qualification, be met.
Ivanović had already given his approval days ago, and optimism grew at Formello after a fresh round of contact.
Claudio Lotito owner and president of S.S Lazio celebrates with supporters at the end of the UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg between Lazio and Bayern Munich at the Olympic stadium on February 14, 2024 in Rome. Lazio won 1-0. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) Lens the live threat as Lazio await Ivanović’s decision The deal, however, is not over the line. Ivanović must now choose between Lazio and Lens, the French club having also built the basis of an agreement with Benfica, while interest from Real Betis, who could offer Champions League football, appears to have cooled.
The Biancocelesti believe they have secured the decisive advantage, having won the player’s preference.
The striker joined Benfica only last summer, signing from Union Saint-Gilloise for around €23m on the back of 21 goals in 47 games, but struggled for minutes in Lisbon and is now considered expendable. The Serie A side believe in his profile and his potential to relaunch.
His arrival would carry knock-on effects. Petar Ratkov , the subject of a bid worth more than €15m from Dinamo Moscow, is not deemed ready to shoulder the attack alone, and a loan for Ivanović would allow Lazio, working with a tight budget of around €9m for two signings, to focus their remaining funds on a new centre-back.
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What happened
Lazio have reportedly agreed terms with Portuguese club Benfica for the signing of Ivanović, with a deal in place between the two clubs. However, the transfer is not yet complete as French side RC Lens are awaiting the player's response, suggesting Lens may have a prior arrangement or competing interest in the player. The player himself appears to hold the deciding voice in where his future lies, with both Lazio and Lens still in the picture. The situation remains unresolved pending Ivanović's final choice.
Chance analysis
This is a multi-club transfer tug-of-war where the selling club (Benfica) has already aligned with Lazio on terms, meaning the remaining variable is the player's preference between Lazio (Serie A) and Lens (Ligue 1). For Lazio, landing the player would strengthen their squad depth, but the delay introduces squad-planning uncertainty heading into the window. For Lens, losing out would mean missing a target they've clearly been tracking. The outcome hinges on the player's personal decision rather than club negotiations.
Pending Ivanović's decision, Lazio's squad depth could improve if the transfer completes, while Lens face the risk of losing their target.
If Ivanović joins Lazio, expect a modest attacking/midfield reinforcement for their Serie A campaign; track official confirmation before factoring into predictions.