Fabiani: "Folorunsho Is A Talented Player, But There’s No Space For Him In The Squad. The Conditions Couldn’t Be Met. Napoli Wanted To Keep Him. And If We Need New Additions, January Is Not Far Off."

Lazio's sporting director Angelo Fabiani has explained why the club's attempt to sign Napoli's out-of-favor midfielder Michael Folorunsho this summer fell through. Despite their best efforts, Lazio could not secure the Italian international.

Fabiani revealed that Lazio, aiming to add another midfielder before the summer transfer window closed, had identified Folorunsho as a top candidate, especially after he was sidelined by Napoli coach Antonio Conte. However, Lazio's midfield remained unchanged, with no new signings.

When presenting new recruits Boulaye Dia and Samuel Gigot, Fabiani was asked about the failed Folorunsho deal. The 63-year-old explained that Lazio didn’t have room for the 26-year-old in their squad and empathized with the player's wish to return to Formello.

"Folorunsho is a talented player, but there’s no space for him in the squad. The conditions couldn’t be met. We considered a loan with an option to buy, but that was our only path forward. Napoli wanted to keep him. I sympathize with the player and have great respect for him, both as a footballer and as a person," Fabiani told LaLazioSiamoNoi.

He also mentioned that the club is focused on signing younger players eligible for the U-22 squad and is open to adding new players in January.

"We have to work with a well-known squad list, so we looked at players born in 2002 and 2003, but their profiles didn’t meet our requirements. The team is well-covered in all areas, and if we need new additions, January is not far off. We make decisions based on logic, not haste," Fabiani added.