Intermediary: ‘Kent to blame for Fenerbahce-Lazio failed deal’ | OneFootball

The intermediary reveals what went so badly wrong when Lazio failed to sign Ryan Kent from Fenerbahce. ‘It was entirely down to the player, he had a different reason every time.’

The two clubs had shaken hands on the deal, which was going to be a loan for €500,000 with an option to buy at the end of the season for a further €5m.

However, with the clock ticking down until the transfer deadline in Italy at 19.00 GMT, it became apparent that this was not going to be completed in time.

Various reports suggested that Kent and his agent were refusing to move until Fenerbahce promised to pay outstanding wages, but the intermediary who worked on the negotiations reveals another side to the story.

“It was entirely down to the player, he changed his mind at the last minute and it’s tough to get into his mindset,” Mattia Luca Terraneo told Lalaziosiamonoi.it.

“Lazio did everything possible, the two clubs reached an agreement in five minutes, the fault lies only with the player. For various reasons, he decided not to make the transfer.

“First it was an economic matter, then he had a different reason every time, he was continually changing his decision. It’s complicated to understand what was going on in his head.

“I cannot say the real reason he said no. If I had known, I would not have allowed it to get to this stage. Lazio did even more than had been agreed initially, but at the last minute he said no.”

According to some reports in Turkey, Kent might not remain at Fenerbahce after all, as he is linked with a possible return to England for Hull City.

The attacking winger joined Fenerbahce as a free agent in the summer of 2023 from Glasgow Rangers, having come through the Liverpool youth academy.

Meanwhile, the failure to complete the transfer means that Lazio did not bring in a single player during the January window.