Lazio step up efforts to sign Philip Otele — 2 reasons behind deadline day decision

Italian club Lazio are stepping up their efforts to sign Super Eagles forward Philip Otele from Basel before the summer transfer window closes, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Swiss club throughout the summer and could finally secure an exit before the transfer deadline later today.

Otele spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at German Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, where he made nine league appearances. The Nigerian forward scored one goal and provided one assist during his spell in Germany.

He has since returned to Basel and has made five appearances for the club this season. However, his future remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that he could still leave before the summer transfer window closes.

Why Lazio want Philip Otele

According to transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri, Lazio are now close to reaching an agreement with Basel for the signing of Otele.

The Italian side are reportedly working on a loan deal, with the potential agreement expected to include an option to buy and there are several reasons why Otele appears to be an attractive option for Lazio.

One of the biggest reasons behind Lazio’s interest in Otele is his availability and affordability. With the transfer window coming to an end, Lazio have limited time to bring in new players. A loan deal with an option to buy would allow the club to strengthen their squad without immediately committing to a permanent transfer.

More importantly, the option to buy would not be mandatory, giving Lazio the opportunity to assess Otele throughout the season before deciding whether to make the move permanent.

The arrangement would reduce the financial risk for the Italian club while still giving them the chance to add a talented attacking player to their squad.

Philip Otele is also open to leaving Basel, which could make negotiations easier as Lazio look to complete a deal before the deadline.

For Lazio, signing him on loan would be a cost-effective solution, especially at this late stage of the transfer window. If he performs well, they could then decide to make his stay permanent at the end of the season.

Another major reason behind Lazio’s interest is Otele’s attacking ability. The Super Eagles forward has shown glimpses of his quality during his time at both Basel and Hamburger SV. Although his spell in Germany was relatively short, he demonstrated that he can contribute when given opportunities.

Otele’s versatility could also make him an attractive addition to Lazio’s attack. He is naturally comfortable playing on the left wing but is also capable of operating on the opposite flank. This gives Lazio another attacking option and allows the coaching staff to use him in different positions depending on the team’s needs.

With the transfer window rapidly coming to an end, Lazio are running out of time to reach an agreement with Basel. However, if the deal is completed, Otele could become another Nigerian player at the Italian club, joining fellow Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru at Lazio.

Dele-Bashiru has been at the club since 2024 after initially joining on loan, and his presence could make Otele’s adaptation to life in Italy easier. Having a fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles teammate in the squad could help Otele settle more quickly, both on and off the pitch.

Once an agreement is reached between Lazio and Basel, Otele could travel to Italy for his medical before signing his contract and completing the move.