Lazio Accelerates Attempts to Sign Standard Liege Defender Ibe Hautekiet

FolioPitch.com – 07 August 2026 | Lazio Held a Meeting at Formello With Belgian Defender s Agents has been a significant topic in the Italian football scene, with the Biancocelesti reportedly accelerating their attempts to bring Standard Liege centre-back Ibe Hautekiet to the Italian capital. The 24-year-old Belgian defender has been identified as the Roman club’s newest target to bolster Gennaro Gattuso‘s backline.

After missing out on Barcelona academy product Sergi Dominguez and young Danish defender Noah Markmann, Lazio officials, including president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani, are trying to strike an agreement with Hautekiet’s agents on personal terms before opening a dialogue with Standard Liege. The enticing offer required to convince the Belgian club is expected to be substantial, considering they have already collected €13 million through summer sales. Hautekiet is under contract until June 2029, giving Standard Liege the opportunity to keep him for another year before cashing in on him. Transfermarkt estimates the defender’s value at €4 million, but he would likely command a larger transfer fee.

The need for another defender at Lazio is evident, especially with Mario Gila’s departure and Alessio Romagnoli’s expected exit before the end of the summer. Oliver Provstgaard and Danilho Doekhi appear to be Gattuso’s main options at the back, but Patric and Samuel Gigot are currently unavailable, making Hautekiet’s potential signing a welcome addition to the Biancocelesti’s backline.

Lazio’s attempts to sign Ibe Hautekiet have significant implications for the Italian football scene, particularly in the Serie A. With the Biancocelesti reportedly accelerating their attempts to bring the Belgian defender to the Italian capital, the competition for top talent in the league is expected to intensify. The potential deal between Lazio and Standard Liege is a testament to the complexity of modern-day football transfers, where personal terms, transfer fees, and contractual obligations play a crucial role in determining the outcome of these negotiations.