Sutalo Touches Down in Rome for Lazio Medical as €10.5m Ajax Deal Nears the Finish Line

Croatia international defender Josip Sutalo has touched down in Rome to undergo his Lazio medical, with the Biancocelesti closing in on a reported €10.5m agreement with Ajax for the centre-back, according to Football Italia. The defender's arrival in the Italian capital represents the final step before the transfer is made official, with negotiations between the Serie A side and the Amsterdam club understood to have reached a successful conclusion. Sutalo was greeted upon landing before heading off to begin the first round of examinations that will pave the way for his unveiling. A product of Dinamo Zagreb's celebrated academy, Sutalo earned his move to Ajax in 2023 after establishing himself as one of the most promising defenders in Croatian football. Despite a turbulent period in Amsterdam, he arrives in Serie A with a reputation as a composed, ball-playing centre-back who is comfortable in possession, strong in the challenge and blessed with valuable big-tournament experience. For Lazio, the deal addresses a clear need for reinforcement at the heart of the back line, and at €10.5m it represents shrewd business for a defender entering his prime years. For Sutalo himself, the switch carries significance well beyond club football. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 looming large on the horizon, regular football in one of Europe's most demanding leagues would strengthen his claim to a starting berth in Zlatko Dalić's squad. A veteran of Croatia's remarkable third-place finish at Qatar 2022, Sutalo knows exactly what it takes to compete on the biggest stage — and starring in Serie A week in, week out would be the ideal platform from which to launch his bid. The Vatreni remain one of international football's most resilient outfits, and a settled, in-form Sutalo would give Dalić a reliable option at the heart of defence as Croatia prepare for their North American campaign. Provided there are no late complications, official confirmation is expected once the medical tests are concluded, with Sutalo set to become the latest Croatian star to ply his trade in Italy's top flight as both club and country look ahead to a defining twelve months.