Dele-Bashiru: Lazio secure deal for Man City-trained Nigerian new no.10 from Hatyaspor

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's meteoric rise in European football continues after reports indicate that Serie A club Lazio have reached an agreement with Turkish side Hatyaspor to acquire the services of the Nigeria international.

According to Sky Italia, the 23-year-old midfielder, who came through the Manchester City academy, will first join Lazio on a season-long loan with an obligation for the club to make the move permanent.

The report states that the total transfer fee is set at €6 million, with the initial loan costing Lazio €2 million, followed by a further €4 million to secure Dele-Bashiru's permanent transfer at the end of the season.

This arrangement allows Lazio to spread the cost of the operation over two seasons, while also being lower than the €7 million release clause in Dele-Bashiru's contract with Hatyaspor.

The final piece of the puzzle was securing personal terms with the player, who was born in Nigeria and raised in England.

After impressing during his three-year stint at Sheffield Wednesday, Dele-Bashiru made the move to Hatyaspor in the summer of 2023, where he has been a standout performer, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances in his debut season.

Dele-Bashiru's imminent move to Lazio will make him the latest Super Eagles player to feature in the Serie A, as he joins a growing contingent of Nigerian talent plying their trade in Italy's top flight.

The versatile midfielder announced his arrival to Nigerians when he fired a stunning equaliser for the Super Eagles in the infamous 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2026 WCQ.