Al-Sadd close in on Alessio Romagnoli as Lazio exchange documents

Al-Sadd are closing in on the permanent signing of Alessio Romagnoli from Lazio, with the two clubs exchanging documents as a long-running transfer saga moves towards completion.

Fabrizio Romano reports that the agreement will see the 31-year-old centre-back sign a four-year contract with the Qatari club running until June 2030.

Romagnoli has also been given permission to travel and complete the remaining steps of the move. Neither Lazio nor Al-Sadd have formally announced the transfer, meaning it should still be treated as advanced rather than complete.

The latest breakthrough comes after two previous attempts to take Romagnoli to Qatar failed to produce a completed deal.

Al-Sadd first pursued the former Milan captain during the January window, only for negotiations to collapse before the transfer could be finalised. Lazio then reached another agreement over his sale in June, with Italian reporting placing the fee at around €3 million.

That move was subsequently delayed amid instability in the Middle East and disagreements over the timing of payments, leaving Romagnoli to return to Lazio for pre-season.

The defender remains under contract in Rome until June 2027 but has not featured competitively at the start of the new campaign while his future has remained unresolved.

Romagnoli joined Lazio as a free agent from Milan in 2022 and has made more than 150 competitive appearances for the club. The former Rossoneri captain has been a regular presence at the centre of Lazio’s defence throughout his four seasons in the capital.

Al-Sadd now appear closer than at any previous stage to finally completing the transfer. The clubs are exchanging the necessary documents and a contract through 2030 has been agreed, but signatures and formal confirmation are still required before Romagnoli can be considered an Al-Sadd player.