Sutalo Set for Lazio as Ajax Agree €12m Loan-to-Buy Deal, Per Report

Josip Sutalo's stint in Amsterdam appears to be nearing its end, with Football Italia reporting that Lazio have agreed terms with Ajax for the Croatian defender on a loan deal that includes an option to buy, structured at a total cost of around €12 million. The 25-year-old centre-back, a established figure in the Croatia national team setup, has found consistent minutes hard to come by at Ajax since his 2023 arrival from Dinamo Zagreb. A switch to Serie A could now offer exactly the reset both player and club are searching for. For Lazio, the structure of the deal represents shrewd business. The loan-with-option formula allows the Biancocelesti to add an international-calibre defender without committing major funds upfront, while the €12 million total package is modest by today's standards for a full international approaching his prime years. Should Sutalo impress in the Italian capital, Lazio can make the move permanent with minimal financial risk. For the player himself, the timing could hardly be more significant. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 looming large on the horizon, Sutalo needs regular first-team football to secure his place in Zlatko Dalić's squad. Croatia, the great overachievers of recent World Cups with a runner-up finish in 2018 and third place in 2022, will arrive in North America believing another deep run is possible — and competition for places in that backline is fierce. Week-in, week-out football in Serie A, one of Europe's most tactically demanding environments for defenders, would give Sutalo the ideal shop window. A strong season in Italy could transform him from a squad option into a starting certainty for the Vatreni. From Ajax's perspective, the willingness to negotiate reflects a period of transition in Amsterdam. Having invested heavily in Sutalo two years ago, the Dutch giants are prepared to accept a reduced fee to move the defender on and reshape their roster, with the loan arrangement offering flexibility for all parties. According to the report, the agreement between the clubs is effectively in place, and personal terms are not expected to pose an obstacle. Barring any late complications, the deal could be finalized swiftly, potentially allowing Sutalo to link up with his new teammates in the coming days. Lazio supporters will hope the Croatian can bring his blend of aerial presence, composed ball-playing and big-tournament temperament to Serie A — qualities honed on the international stage that could prove invaluable both domestically and, come next summer, on football's grandest stage of all.