Lazio Greenlight Artistico Exit: Padova Win Race for €3.5m Striker

FolioPitch.com – 27 August 2026 | The headline ‘Done Deal Lazio Agree to Sell 24-Year-Old Forward’ finally became a reality on Wednesday as the Biancocelesti reached a full agreement with Serie B side Padova for the permanent transfer of Gabriele Artistico. The 24-year-old striker, who has never played a competitive match for Lazio since joining in the summer of 2024, will now continue his development in Italy’s second tier.

Artistico, a product of Parma’s youth academy, was snapped up by Lazio on a free transfer two years ago. However, he was immediately loaned out to gain experience, spending the 2024/25 campaign with Juve Stabia and then Cosenza. Last season proved to be his most productive, as he netted 14 goals in 33 appearances for Spezia, catching the eye of several clubs across Serie B and beyond.

Despite returning to Formello with hopes of finally breaking into the first team, Artistico found himself on the periphery under head coach Gennaro Gattuso. Although he produced some encouraging displays during early pre-season friendlies, a recent injury kept him on the sidelines for several weeks. More importantly, Gattuso never considered the former Parma youngster as part of his tactical plans. As a result, his departure was widely expected throughout the summer transfer window.

According to leading transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia, Lazio and Padova have now finalized every detail of the deal. The Serie B club will pay a fixed fee of €3.5 million to secure Artistico’s services on a permanent basis. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla added that Avellino made a late push in the final hours, but Padova ultimately prevailed to complete the signing.

This ‘Done Deal Lazio Agree to Sell 24-Year-Old Forward’ scenario signifies a clean break for both parties. For Lazio, it represents a modest but useful injection of cash for a player who was unlikely to feature. For Artistico, it offers a fresh start and a chance to build on his impressive loan spell at Spezia, where he proved he can be a consistent goal scorer at the Serie B level.

Artistico may not be the only striker heading out of the Stadio Olimpico before the transfer window closes. Petar Ratkov is another forward who could leave, with Gattuso reportedly insisting that the Serbian international does not fit his preferred playing system. Meanwhile, Boulaye Dia has attracted interest from French club Stade Rennais, although his departure is currently considered unlikely due to his importance to the squad.

On the incoming front, Lazio are closing in on the signing of Sassuolo forward Andrea Pinamonti. The 26-year-old is expected to arrive in Rome on Wednesday evening to finalize his medical and complete his move. In addition, several recent reports have linked the Biancocelesti with RB Leipzig’s young Danish striker Conrad Harder, though no formal bid has been made yet.

The decision to sell Artistico is part of a wider squad overhaul under Gattuso, who is reshaping the attack to better suit his tactical identity. With Pinamonti on the verge of joining and Harder being scouted, Lazio are clearly looking to add more proven or high-potential options upfront. The funds generated from Artistico’s sale, while not enormous, will help facilitate these moves.

For Padova, the acquisition of Artistico is a statement of intent. The club has been looking for a reliable goal scorer to lead their promotion push, and the 24-year-old fits the profile perfectly. His track record at Spezia, where he scored 14 goals in a single season, suggests he is ready to take the next step and become a decisive player at the top end of Serie B.

Artistico’s journey with Lazio never truly began, but his talent has never been in question. The ‘Done Deal Lazio Agree to Sell 24-Year-Old Forward’ news will come as a relief to all parties, as the player finally secures a permanent home where he can flourish. Lazio, on the other hand, can move forward with their transfer business, knowing they have freed up both wage budget and squad space.

As the summer transfer window enters its final days, the Serie B market remains as active as ever. Padova have secured one of the most sought-after young strikers in the division, while Lazio have added valuable resources to their own transfer kitty. The coming weeks will reveal whether the Biancocelesti reinvest those funds wisely, but for now, the exit of Gabriele Artistico has been officially completed.

In conclusion, the transfer of Artistico to Padova is a classic example of a player needing a fresh start and a club willing to take a calculated risk. The €3.5 million fee represents a fair valuation for a player with proven scoring ability at that level. All eyes will now be on both clubs to see how they capitalize on this transaction.