Lazio have made an enquiry about Nigeria winger Philip Otele as they consider a late move for the FC Basel forward before the summer transfer window closes.
The Serie A club are assessing a loan deal for the 27-year-old that could include an option to buy, according to transfer expert Ben Jacobs. However, discussions remain at an early stage and no agreement has been reached with Basel.
There is also no certainty that the proposed move will be completed before the transfer deadline.
Otele is currently under contract with the Swiss club until the summer of 2028. Basel exercised their option to sign him permanently from UAE side Al Wahda in June 2025, securing his long-term future with the club.
The forward spent the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan in Germany with Hamburg SV, having joined the Bundesliga club from Basel in February.
He made nine Bundesliga appearances during his time at Hamburg, scoring once and providing one assist. The Nigeria international was able to operate in a number of attacking positions during the spell, but Hamburg decided against making the move permanent.
Otele subsequently returned to Basel at the end of the campaign and is now the subject of interest from Lazio as the Italian club consider their options before the transfer window closes.
Any agreement would initially be structured as a temporary move, with Lazio potentially retaining the opportunity to sign Otele permanently at a later date. The two clubs have yet to settle the terms of such an arrangement, and the limited time remaining in the window could make negotiations difficult.
For Basel, the situation represents another decision over the future of a player they only committed to permanently in June 2025. For Otele, a move to Lazio would offer the chance to continue his career in Serie A after his recent experience in the Bundesliga.
The winger’s nine league appearances for Hamburg produced one goal and one assist, but his campaign was interrupted by the change of club and the subsequent decision not to activate a permanent transfer.
Lazio’s interest has not yet developed into a formal agreement, and the deal remains dependent on further talks between the Italian and Swiss clubs. With the deadline approaching, Otele’s next destination is still undecided.