Lazio Shifts Focus to Pinamonti After Dieng Deal Falls Through

Lazio’s attack has been rebuilt on the fly. Bamba Dieng was meant to be the final piece, but the move has collapsed at the last hurdle.

According to Calcio Mercato, the Senegal forward failed his medical, killing off a deal that had been on the brink of completion and forcing the Biancocelesti to react instantly. No time for regret. Gennaro Gattuso has already chosen his new target.

Gattuso makes Pinamonti his man

The Lazio coach has placed Sassuolo striker Andrea Pinamonti at the very top of his list. Not as an option. As the option.

Born in 1999, Pinamonti has emerged as the leading candidate to lead the line in Rome. He has already asked to leave Sassuolo, a move that hands Lazio leverage in negotiations and underlines his willingness to embrace a new challenge.

The scenario suits Gattuso. He wants a striker ready to compete immediately, someone who knows Serie A and its demands. Pinamonti ticks that box, and his stance has pushed Lazio into a strong position.

Fiorentina lurking in the background

The race, though, is not uncontested. Fiorentina are keeping a close eye on the situation and scanning the market for their own attacking solution.

Their interest in Pinamonti could intensify if Moise Kean completes a heavily rumoured move to Como. Should that deal go through, Fiorentina would need a replacement and Pinamonti’s name is already on their radar.

Even with that threat in the background, Lazio currently stand at the front of the queue. They moved quickly after the Dieng collapse and now control the pace of the talks.

A busy summer under Gattuso

Pinamonti would be the latest piece in an assertive summer from Lazio’s hierarchy under Gattuso.

The club have already brought in Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal to reinforce the left flank, secured Davide Frattesi on loan from Inter Milan to add drive in midfield, and signed Danilho Doekhi from Union Berlin to strengthen the defence.

An Italian centre-forward with proven league experience would round out that rebuild. Pinamonti scored nine goals for Sassuolo in the 2025–26 campaign, a return that underlines his reliability in Serie A and offers a platform for further growth in a more ambitious environment.

Talks enter decisive phase

The clock is now part of the story. With the transfer window edging towards its close, Lazio and Sassuolo are preparing for decisive talks to define the structure of the deal.

Gattuso wants his new No 9 in the door as quickly as possible. The plan is clear: integrate Pinamonti immediately, sharpen his understanding with the new arrivals, and have him ready to “hit the ground running” in the upcoming fixtures.

What began as a setback with Dieng has turned into a late-window pivot around Pinamonti. Over the next few days, Lazio will find out if their rapid change of course delivers the striker Gattuso has chosen to front his new project.