Italian Serie A club Lazio are set to pay Viktoria Plzen ₦15 billion for the services of Nigerian striker Rafiu Durosinmi ahead of a summer transfer, Soccernet.ng reports.
Durosinmi has started to attract attention following his return from a lengthy knee injury. The 22-year-old striker was bound for a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in December 2023, but he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and had to undergo surgery.
Durosinmi returned to action in late February, and he has been brilliant since then. He has registered five goals and two assists in his last 12 games since he arrived, and this has attracted interest from abroad.
Soccernet.ng previously reported that Serie A club Lazio were interested in signing the striker. And it now seems the club is drawing close to getting their man.
According to Laziali, Lazio are close to finalizing a deal with Viktoria Plzen. The transfer is expected to cost them around ₦15 billion, but Duro's would make the move in the summer transfer window.
Is Lazio a good move for Durosinmi?
Lazio have not have a prolific striker since Ciro Immobile left the club last year, and Durosinmi will be expected to serve as a replacement. Unfortunately, Lazio fans might not be as patient due to the high standards that Immobile set.
Nonetheless, under the tutelage of coach Marco Baroni, the Nigerian striker has a good chance to grow in Italy, as many other Nigerians have been shining there recently.
Case in point is Ademola Lookman, who has won the UEFA Europa League and the CAF Player of the Year, years after he failed to impress in the English Premier League. Victor Osimhen was also great for Napoli in his years at the club before joining Galatasaray.
Durosinmi fits the Serie A, as he is big, strong, and quick. But he might need some time to adjust to the level of football in Italy.
