Lazio are facing internal disagreement over the future of Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, with head coach Maurizio Sarri and sporting director Angelo Fabiani pulling in opposite directions.

The club signed the 24-year-old from Hatayspor in the summer of 2024 for around €6 million, on Fabiani’s insistence.

But despite flashes of quality, Dele-Bashiru failed to secure a consistent starting role last season under Marco Baroni and has found opportunities similarly limited under Sarri this term.

Sarri wants him Sold, Fabiani refuses to give up

With Lazio under pressure to offload players to fund January reinforcements, Il Messaggero reports that Sarri wants the Nigeria international placed on the transfer list.

Fabiani, however, is resisting the move, unwilling to abandon an investment he believes still has upside.

The disagreement follows previous clashes between the two men, including differing views over Lorenzo Insigne.

Fabiani also opposed removing Dele-Bashiru from the Serie A squad list after the player’s injury in September. Sarri eventually prevailed, replacing him with Toma Basic before later reinstating the midfielder at the expense of Elseid Hysaj.

Short return before AFCON duty

Dele-Bashiru’s return to the squad will be brief, with the Lagos-born midfielder expected to receive a call-up from Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He is set to feature in Thursday’s Coppa Italia match against AC Milan and may also play against Bologna at the weekend before departing for national duty.

Sarri pushing for reinforcements, but departures needed

Sarri is requesting three or four new signings in January to strengthen a squad that has lacked depth and balance.

However, Lazio can only operate within tight constraints: the club’s transfer ban is expected to be only partially lifted, meaning any incoming business will rely heavily on departures and will likely be limited to zero-cost or low-cost deals.