Wolves Eye Move for Promising Lazio Shot-Stopper as Coaching Change Signals Summer Exit
A major shake-up in Lazio’s managerial setup has cast uncertainty over the future of one of their rising stars, with Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers now emerging as serious contenders to secure his signature.
Christos Mandas, Lazio’s 23-year-old Greek goalkeeper, is increasingly tipped for a summer departure following the reappointment of Maurizio Sarri as head coach. Although Mandas featured prominently in Lazio’s Europa League campaign, he found regular Serie A minutes hard to come by, making just nine league appearances last season. Despite showing promise on the European stage, he was largely confined to a backup role in domestic competition.
With Lazio narrowly missing out on European qualification for the upcoming season, the club are under financial pressure and looking to make strategic decisions in the transfer market. Selling a valuable asset like Mandas could provide a necessary injection of funds. Reports in Italy suggest that between Mandas and Ivan Provedel—Lazio’s more experienced goalkeeper—it is Mandas who now seems likelier to be sold.
According to Corriere dello Sera, via Tutto Mercato, Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently leading the race among English clubs for Mandas’ signature. Wolves are in the market for a new goalkeeper, and Mandas has reportedly jumped to the top of their wish list. His profile—young, composed, and technically sound—fits the club’s recruitment strategy, which has increasingly focused on acquiring emerging European talents with room to grow.
Manchester City reportedly showed interest in Mandas last summer, signaling that top-tier clubs are aware of his potential. However, Lazio were unwilling to part with the young talent at the time. Now, with Sarri set to prioritize Provedel as his first-choice keeper going into the 2025/26 campaign, the door may be open for Mandas to seek regular playing time elsewhere.
Still, any club hoping to sign him will need to come prepared financially. Lazio have no intention of letting Mandas leave on the cheap, and it’s believed that an offer in the range of €25 million to €30 million will be required to tempt them into a sale. That valuation reflects both Mandas’ potential and his contractual security—he recently signed a new deal that ties him to the Italian capital until June 2029.
Despite his limited league action, Mandas has turned heads with mature performances in high-stakes European fixtures. His ability to command the box, strong shot-stopping instincts, and composure under pressure have made him one of Greece’s most exciting young prospects. For Wolves, he could represent a long-term solution between the posts, especially as the club continues to evolve under manager Gary O’Neil.
A move to the Premier League would also offer Mandas a fresh start and a clearer pathway to regular top-flight football—something that may be difficult to guarantee at Lazio with Provedel likely to retain the No.1 shirt. While other English clubs are thought to be monitoring the situation, Wolves’ interest appears to be the most concrete at this stage, and their intent to bolster their squad with young international talent makes them a natural fit.
In the coming weeks, much will depend on how negotiations unfold and whether Wolves are prepared to meet Lazio’s valuation. For now, Christos Mandas remains a Lazio player, but with the Serie A side facing a summer of change and Wolves actively seeking reinforcements, a move to the Premier League could be on the horizon for the Greek goalkeeper.