Lazio have joined the race to sign Mauro Zarate, but their main target remains Rodrigo Palacio.
Zarate’s spell at Birmingham City ended in the summer and negotiations must now be held with the club that owns his contract, Arabian side Al Sadd.
It is reported they have requested £20m for a permanent signing, though the Biancocelesti cannot afford such a large expenditure under President Claudio Lotito’s notoriously strict regime.
If Lazio were to take on Zarate, it would be on loan worth £1.5m with the fixed buy-out clause for £9.5m.
Portsmouth are also in the hunt for a similar temporary deal to bring the 21-year-old Argentine back to Britain.
Zarate is seen as an alternative to the main choice, Boca Juniors forward Palacio.
Here too Lazio face competition from Barcelona, although the Spaniards are yet to make an official bid.
Lotito already has a good rapport with Boca after bringing in Palacio’s former teammate Juan Pablo Carrizo.
Should both these South American swoops fail, then the standby alternative is homegrown Nicola Amoruso.
The veteran striker has made it clear he is unhappy with Reggina’s transfer policy and would prefer a transfer this summer.
