Cragnotti hints at Lazio departures

The Rome club are looking to reduce their debts and a number of stars such as Alessandro Nesta and Hernan Crespo could be sacrificed, but Cragnotti insisted that a number of players will arrive to replace those who are sold off.

"We do sell off great stars but other equally fine players will arrive," said Cragnotti.

He added: "Their price is not the only factor that will decide if a player stays on here.

"A star must promote the club and prove that they are close to the directors.

"This kind of situation concerns Nesta, Crespo, Dejan Stankovic, Jaap Stam, Angelo Peruzzi and any other player that will be a part of Lazio's future.

"Only in this manner will we break even from next year.

"We hope to bring in between £30m and £40m from the summer's transfer campaign and cut the squad from 31 players to 25, three of which will be from the club youth system."

"We have always had a wide-reaching financial status that is different from other clubs.

"Lazio would cover losses with the value of players registered in the plus column of our accounts."

Club captain Nesta has been continually linked with a summer move away from Stadio Olimpico with Juventus, Milan, Internazionale, Real Madrid and Manchester United all linked with the accomplished defender.

The Italian international is hoping to have his future resolved one way or the other after talks with Cragnotti but despite all the reported interest Cragnotti revealed there has been no offers for Nesta.

"So far there has only been transfer talk, but no official bid has been made," said Cragnotti.

"It almost seems as if the talk in the newspapers is placed there with the sole intent of lowering his price tag."