Roma steal Lazio's wish; Eagles' president ironically claims: He isn't Maradona
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 10.01.26. | 16:06
The Roman giants locked horns over Giacomo Raspadori, who eventually reportedly opted for the Wolfess, which caused a reaction from their rivals' leadership
Roma and Lazio have been rivals for almost 100 years (four years from now will mark a full century since the premiere Derby della Capitale). The Romans have fought on and off the pitch on numerous occasions, but rarely locked horns over a mutual transfer wish.
However, recent days have brought that as well, given that they were both keen on Giacomo Raspadori.
Lazio were the first to eye the Italy international, as they saw him as an ideal replacement for Taty Castellanos, who moved to West Ham. The Eagles did "call dibs" on the forward, but once Roma entered the race for his signature, the tables turned, and Raspadori slowly but surely got really close to reaching an agreement with the Wolfess.
The Italian's move caused a reaction from the Biancocelesti's ranks, and not from anyone but their president, Claudio Lotito. And although he tried to seem unbothered, his statement carried a trace of hurt feelings.
#Lotito on #Raspadori:
— ReteZone (@ReteZone) January 9, 2026
"Who is Raspadori, Maradona ? He's never played for either Atlético or wherever he was before... We'll see if he'll be better than whom we've taken" 🥶 pic.twitter.com/tmxeGbOeGG
"Who is Raspadori? It's not like he's Maradona. He's a substitute at Atletico Madrid," the 68-year-old said sarcastically via Football Italia, referring to the forward's only four starts under Diego Simeone this season.
😵💫 Lazio have just signed striker Petar Ratkov for €13M from Red Bull Salzburg.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Footballtweet) January 8, 2026
Here's what Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri has said about him:
🗣️ Sarri: "I don't know this player. The other people who work at this club probably know him better than I do. But to be honest, I… pic.twitter.com/Sg5LLy2SRb
Yet, the ex-Napoli player seems to have made up his mind and chosen Roma, while Lazio instantly found an alternative, signing Petar Ratkov from Red Bull Salzburg for €13 million, though the Eagles' boss Maurizio Sarri's statement about him cast a shadow on the Serb's arrival.
"I don't know this player. The other people who work at this club probably know him better than I do. But to be honest, I don't know what to say about him," the strategist said via The Sun.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 20
Saturday
17.00: (1.97) Como (3.40) Bologna (4.00)
17.00: (1.95) Udinese (3.50) Pisa (4.40)
20.00: (1.55) Roma (4.00) Sassuolo (6.50)
22.45: (1.67) Atalanta (3.90) Torino (5.80)
Sunday
14.30: (2.65) Lecce (3.05) Parma (2.90)
17.00: (3.70) Fiorentina (3.40) Milan (2.05)
20.00: (3.40) Verona (3.20) Lazio (2.40)
22.45: (1.80) Inter (3.60) Napoli (5.10)
***odds are subject to change***
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