AC Milan could be disappointed in their pursuit of Mario Gila, because Lazio have expressed a preference to sell him abroad.
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Milan have been linked with Gila for months now as they search for a new centre-back, and on Sunday night they had to watch him put in a man of the match worthy performance in their 1-0 defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.
Gila heading abroad?
According to Il Messaggero, the numbers prove Gila’s impact. Lazio have kept 14 clean sheets this season and he has been a part of all of them, despite having three different goalkeepers behind him in Provedel, Mandas and Motta.
It was a warrior’s performance from the Spaniard on Sunday, but Gila is establishing himself as a modern centre-back too with his ability to switch play and the pass success rate he boasts, which is still at 91%.
However, his time in the capital looks to be coming to an end. Gila currently earns ‘only’ €1.6m gross and there are no negotiations over a renewal. His contract expires in 2027, and approaches to discuss an extension fizzled out in the summer.
Igli Tare’s Milan – the director who brought him to Italy – are keen on him, though Inter are ahead and even dream of snatching him on a free transfer. In reality, Lazio will make another attempt to retain him, then try to sell him abroad in June (Leicester and Bournemouth are among the teams keen).
It would be a big surprise if Leicester were to appeal to Gila if the source is correct, given they are in the Championship relegation places having suffered a points deduction for breaking financial rules, so they could well be in the English third tier next season.