On paper, Alaba is an obvious name to consider.
For a club suddenly needing experience and authority at the back, the attraction is easy to understand. Even at this stage of his career, Alaba would bring calm, leadership and big-game know-how to a squad that appears to be reshaping itself.
The hesitation is just as obvious. Alaba’s recent years have reportedly been interrupted by a serious knee injury and a long recovery period. That does not erase his quality, but it does change the conversation.
Lazio would not just be signing a decorated defender; they would be weighing risk, fitness and availability. In that sense, this feels less like a glamour move and more like a calculated bet. If Alaba is physically ready, the upside is substantial. If not, Lazio could be left chasing reliability elsewhere.
Fabiani made the club’s thinking plain enough: “I preferred to keep a few places in the squad free in order to monitor such situations closely.” That sounds like a club deliberately waiting for the right opportunity rather than rushing into a replacement.
For now, this remains a situation to watch rather than a negotiation to track. The next clue will be whether Lazio’s interest hardens into contact - and whether Alaba, after months of uncertainty, decides Serie A is the right stage for his next chapter.