Hull City and Ipswich Town are now competing for Lazio left-back Luca Pellegrini.
As we recently covered, Hull were reported to have held direct discussions over a potential move for the 27-year-old. But according to Italian reports from LazioNews.eu, Ipswich Town are interested as well, as Pellegrini’s future in Rome remains uncertain.
The insider outlet also claimed Espanyol have added Pellegrini to their shortlist.
Hull and Ipswich have company
The Spanish report suggests Espanyol admire Pellegrini’s profile and experience. However, it also makes clear they will not have an easy task.
Hull City and Ipswich Town are both named among the clubs monitoring the defender. At the same time, Deportivo La Coruña are also keeping tabs on the situation. Espanyol are aware that English clubs could hold a financial advantage if the race develops into a battle for his signature.
That matches the direction of the reports we covered from Italy. In those reports, Hull’s interest had already progressed to direct discussions with the player under consideration. Meanwhile, Lazio evaluate their options.
Pellegrini endured a frustrating second half of last season. After falling out of favour, he featured in only four Serie A matches from March onwards and finished the campaign with around 1,400 minutes across all competitions.
Lazio decision still key
Luca Pellegrini’s future is still expected to depend largely on Lazio’s plans.
The defender’s contract situation makes this a realistic window for a sale. Meanwhile, new manager Rino Gattuso is still shaping his squad after replacing Maurizio Sarri. Lazio’s absence from European football also increases the possibility of changes during the summer.
For Hull and Ipswich, the emergence of Espanyol does not fundamentally alter the situation. However, it does add another credible contender to an increasingly competitive chase.
Pellegrini’s versatility remains one of his biggest attractions. Primarily a left-back, he is also capable of operating as a wing-back or drifting into midfield, qualities that continue to make him an appealing option for clubs looking for experience without committing to an expensive transfer.
