Brentford Faces Olympiacos Competition for 24-Year-Old Winger

Olympiacos have registered a firm interest in Serie A side Lazio's Matteo Cancellieri ahead of the summer transfer window. 

According to a report by Italian transfer news expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Greek top-flight outfit Olympiacos have set their sights on securing the services of Lazio forward Matteo Cancellieri on a permanent deal this summer. 

The Rome-born attacker shared the right flank last season at the Biancocelesti with Gustav Isaksen, contributing four goals and two assists across 30 Serie A appearances. The 24-year-old managed to reach his personal best in the league in terms of goals scored this past campaign with his run at Empoli during the 2023-24 season. 

Thrylos is expected to face heavy competition if they decide to pursue Cancellieri in the upcoming transfer window. Premier League side Brentford have already expressed a strong desire in the winter transfer window to seal the deal for the Italian international, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement with Lazio, as revealed in a recent update by football journalist Alfredo Pedulla. 

The Bees could be working internally with the Italian capital side in order to gain a lead in the race to land Cancellieri. However, interest from within Italy has recently emerged, with Fiorentina making a concerted attempt to sign him, as confirmed by Pedulla. 

Olympiacos head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar will now have to prepare his representatives for a transfer battle for the AS Roma youth academy graduate. If the Greek side manages to agree on personal terms with the player's entourage, or at least gets approval from him for a possible signing, things could be set for the club to enter negotiations with Lazio. With interest coming from within the country, especially from The Viola, where Cancellieri can play in a more central role, and from the Premier League, it is becoming increasingly challenging for Olympiacos to make a mark on the Italian market. 

Cancellieri made his professional debut for Hellas Verona under head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, starting the Coppa Italia game against Catanzaro, which ended in a 3-0 victory for his team. The forward was selected for the Italy squad for the 2022 Finalissima against Argentina. Cancellieri made his debut for the Azzurri in a 1-1 draw with Germany in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, coming on as a substitute for striker Gianluca Scamacca. 

Where do you think Matteo Cancellieri will play next season? Let us know in the comments below.