Lazio are reportedly considering a move for Nicolo Zaniolo after a salary dispute with Udinese, with Gennaro Gattuso keen to bring the former Roma star to the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio could be set to make a surprise move for Nicolo Zaniolo this summer, with reports suggesting that Gennaro Gattuso is eager to bring the former Roma attacker to the Stadio Olimpico amid growing tensions between the player and Udinese.
Zaniolo only recently completed a permanent transfer to Udinese after spending the 2025/26 season on loan with the Friulian club. The deal saw Udinese pay around €5 million to Galatasaray, while the Turkish giants retained a 50 percent sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
However, the 26-year-old’s future is already being called into question. According to reports in Italy, Zaniolo is unhappy with his current salary package and feels that the terms no longer reflect his value following the completion of his permanent move.
The Italy international’s agent recently revealed that his client accepted a significant pay cut last summer in order to secure a move to Udinese before the transfer window closed. Zaniolo reportedly reduced his annual salary from €3 million at Galatasaray to just €1.2 million to make the switch possible.
The player’s camp claims that Udinese had promised to revisit his contract and discuss improved personal terms once the permanent transfer was completed. However, those discussions have yet to take place, leaving Zaniolo frustrated and disappointed with the situation.
His uncertainty has inevitably attracted interest from elsewhere in Serie A. Juventus and Como have both been linked with the versatile attacker in recent weeks, while Lazio have now emerged as
🚨🇮🇹 Nicolo Zaniolo could join Juventus to solve his salary disputes with Udinese.
Udinese value him at €15M, but Vasilije Adzic could be used in a swap deal to lower the price.
— @tuttosport pic.twitter.com/L6XZKxpTv6
— Calcio FC | 𝑒𝑛. (@CalcioFCEN) June 20, 2026
serious contender for his signature.
According to reports, Gattuso is a long-time admirer of Zaniolo and believes the former Roma star could add quality, creativity, and experience to his squad. While Lazio have shown interest in the player before, Zaniolo had previously been reluctant to join Roma’s city rivals due to his strong ties with the Giallorossi.
That stance may now be softening, but any deal remains far from straightforward. Udinese have no intention of selling one of their marquee signings so soon after making his move permanent. Reports suggest it would take an offer in the region of €18 million to €20 million before the club would even consider parting ways with the 19-cap Italy international this summer.
