Lazio president Claudio Lotito has claimed that his side were forced into selling star midfielder Hernanes to Inter Milan after the 28 year-old had refused to sign a fresh deal with the Rome club.
“For a year we showed strength and conviction that we wanted Hernanes to continue his professional experience with the club,” Lotito told Il Tempo.
“We always believed in his qualities as a man and as a player. We never had any doubts in offering him the chance to continue with an improved contract, which would have made him a leader.”
“We were forced into a corner with Hernanes’ refusal to sign, so simply had to accept Inter’s offer to avoid losing him on a free transfer.”
Hernanes represented lazio 156 times, scoring 41 goals, since his switch from Sao Paulo in 2010.
