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EXCLUSIVE: Milan in the hunt for Lazio youngster Cataldi
CM.com can exclusively report that Milan didn't just approach Lazio last summer for the 21-year-old midfielder, but have also kept up their interest in him.
Milan CEO Adriano Galliani's friendship with Lazio president Claudio Lotito - not to mention Alessandro Matri's move to Rome - have presented the Rossoneri with the opportunity to inquire after the Under-21 Azzurri fixture, though Lotito is as steadfast as ever in his refusal.
The Rossoneri aren't united by many things, but they are in their appreciation for Cataldi, from owner Silvio Berlusconi down to Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, who could do with an adaptable midfielder who can slot in anywhere in the middle.
Cataldi was on loan last season to Crotone, but returned to Lazio to play 21 games and provide an impressive 5 assists. Stefano Pioli certainly has a high opinion of the Lazio product, starting him ten times in Serie A this season.
Lotito certainly doesn't want to sell him during the January window, and making a deal in the summer looks very difficult, though Lazio's stance may soften if faced with an interesting offer. Cataldi himself, however, could be attracted by the chance to move to a club that is even more storied, like Milan.