Romagnoli seems to say goodbye to Lazio fans

Alessio Romagnoli seemed to say goodbye to Lazio supporters after tonight’s 0-0 draw with Lecce, fuelling reports he is on the verge of a move to Al-Sadd.

The defender was in the starting XI at the Stadio Via del Mare, with coach Maurizio Sarri insisting this was a player he “couldn’t do without” if available.

He played the full 90 minutes, but after the final whistle, the entire squad went over to the away end to salute the travelling fans.

Notably, Romagnoli seemed emotional, had a conversation with several of the ultras leaders, shook their hands and passed on his jersey.

The centre-back, a lifelong Lazio supporter who moved to the Stadio Olimpico as a free agent when his Milan contract expired in 2022.

His teammate Adam Marusic spoke to Sky Sport Italia afterwards and was asked specifically if this felt like a farewell from Romagnoli.

“For what I saw, I think it was a goodbye, but we’ll see what the club decides over the next few days.”

It was not dissimilar to the scenes when Matteo Guendouzi saluted the supporters at the Stadio Olimpico, just hours before his transfer to Fenerbahce.