Rome side keeping hold of Italian midfielder.
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Lazio has issued a hands-off warning on Manchester United target Antonio Candreva after announcing that he will not be sold this summer according to The Daily Express.
Speculation had been building about the Red Devils moving for the Italian international midfielder after falling in their bid to sign Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara last week. The promising Spain U-21 international decided to join Bayern Munich for a reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola after rejecting advances from Old Trafford.
However Lazio president Claudio Lotito has come out to clarify that the 26-year-old, who has also been targeted by fellow Serie A side Napoli, will remain at the Stadio Olimpico for the new season.
When quizzed about the midfielder’s future at the club, he declared: “He’s not for sale.
“Napoli? They have never called me, but if they do, I’d say he’s not for sale.”
The former Cesena man was in fine form for the Rome-based team last season and also made a positive impression during the Azzurri’s Confederations Cup campaign, raising eyebrows with a classy ‘panenka’ penalty during their shoot-out defeat to Spain in the semi-final.
But Lotito has revealed that Lazio do not have to see their best players depart during the current transfer window as
before.
He added: “Lazio are the only club who have bought players without selling. “We wanted to strengthen the team again. I can also say that we have achieved all the market targets we had.”
Candreva, who has made 49 Serie A appearances, scoring nine goals since linking with Lazio on-loan in 2011, is currently co-owned by Lotito’s club and Udinese which could cause complications in any possible transfer.