Dele-Bashiru closes in on Lazio move
Rome-based Serie A club Lazio have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Turkish side Hatayspor for the transfer of Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. The 23-year-old British-Nigerian player joined Hatayspor last summer on a free transfer and has quickly become a standout performer.
Dele-Bashiru’s debut season in the Turkish Super Lig has been nothing short of remarkable. He played in 34 of Hatayspor’s 36 league games, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
His stellar performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him a call-up to the Super Eagles for the CAF World Cup qualifiers. He marked his debut with a crucial equalizer in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo.
According to Brilla FM, Lazio and Hatayspor have agreed in principle to the transfer, pending approval from Lazio’s new manager, Marco Baroni. The deal is expected to cost Lazio around €8 million, a significant investment considering the current financial constraints in Serie A.
Should the transfer be finalised, Dele-Bashiru would be following in the footsteps of former Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who played for Lazio from 2011 to 2016 before moving to Trabzonspor.
Dele-Bashiru’s dynamic midfield presence and attacking prowess could make him a valuable asset for Lazio. His ability to score and assist regularly would provide a significant boost to the team’s midfield options.
The move, if completed, highlights Lazio’s ambition to strengthen their squad and compete at higher levels in both domestic and European competitions.
