Lotito: ‘Lazio don't have to sell’

By Football Italia staff

Lazio President Claudio Lotito warns potential suitors “we don’t have to sell” the likes of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic or Ciro Immobile.

The owner spoke today at a Press conference to present the pre-season training camp in Auronzo, and he won’t be letting any stars leave on the cheap.

“We’ve already made some signings, they’ll be presented at the right time,” Lotito said.

“We don’t have to sell in order to buy, that has to be made clear. We have interest in our players from some of the big European teams, it seems everyone wants our players.

“They’ll have to find an agreement with the club though, I won’t do what my predecessors did and go cap in hand to other clubs, making Lazio a colony of those other clubs.

“Today there’s a boss, show me the money and you’ll see the camel. Conditions are set by those who sell, not those who buy.

“There’s no pressure, forget about it, only my doctor can measure pressure. We decide the conditions of any eventual exits, without intimidation.

“We’ll talk to everyone, we’re considered to be super-reliable, particularly abroad. We’ve already bought a player abroad and paid the first instalment.

“The club is stable, our house is not built on sand and above all there’s absolute respect for the rules.

“We don’t look for loopholes, we comply with national and international standards for the purpose of selling and buying players.

“If someone wants a Lazio player, or he wants to leave, you have to knock on our door. We’ll decide whether or not to open it, but a player will only leave under the conditions I want.

“If you don’t have the money, you can’t buy. It’s as simple as that.”

Juventus, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are among the clubs linked with Milinkovic-Savic, but his price has been quoted at €150m.

Meanwhile, it was reported ealier today that Milan were put off by Ciro Immobile's asking price.

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