Lazio Pursues Franjo Ivanovic for Striker Role

Lazio have moved to the front of the queue for Benfica forward Franjo Ivanovic, convinced they can offer the one thing the 22-year-old now values above all else: minutes on the pitch.

The Croatia international only arrived in Lisbon last summer from Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal worth €22.8 million, a move that looked like the next logical step for one of Europe’s emerging attacking talents. The numbers from his first season are respectable enough – eight goals and two assists across 42 competitive appearances – but the detail tells a different story.

Just 13 of those outings came from the start. For a striker at his age, that statistic bites harder than any goal tally can soothe.

According to Sportitalia’s Alfredo Pedullà, Ivanovic has made regular playing time the central condition for his next move. Wages, league, prestige – all secondary. He wants a shirt, a role, and a coach who will trust him week after week.

Lazio believe they can be that club.

The Roman side have reportedly contacted Benfica to explore a dry loan, a straight season-long deal with no option to buy. It is a clear signal: they want a hungry forward ready to contribute immediately, but without tying their hands financially in the long term.

They are not alone in sensing an opportunity. Como have tested the waters in Serie A, Galatasaray are watching from Istanbul, and Hull City have shown interest from the English game. Real Betis are also in the frame, adding La Liga to a list of suitors that already spans three major leagues.

Yet Lazio are gambling that their offer hits the sweet spot. A big stage, European ambitions, and a squad where a mobile centre-forward can realistically fight for a starting berth. For Ivanovic, who has already broken into the Croatia senior team with two goals and an assist in nine caps, the next move cannot be another season of cameos.

He has already shown enough to convince a club like Benfica to invest heavily and a national team like Croatia to call him up. Now comes the harder part: choosing the platform that turns promise into status.

If Lazio can back up their pitch with genuine playing time, this could be the move that defines both his trajectory and their attack for the coming season.