Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists he was left with little choice but to sell midfielder Hernanes to Internazionale.
The Brazil international joined the Nerazzurri on transfer deadline, following weeks of speculation.
Lotito admits he was desperate to retain Hernanes, but the player’s desire to make the move ensured a deal was completed.
“The player wanted to leave. What could I do? We could not keep a player who was unhappy here until June,” he said, as reported by Football Italia.
“Either we change the rules when they want this, or the club will always submit to the will of the players.
“Hernanes had an agreement with Inter and he wanted to go away. I was clear with him. I told him that if he wanted to go, he had to say it.
“I want to publicly thank Sergio Floccari and his agent for their decision to leave now when he could have signed for free with any club from February 1.
“There are agents who earn millions taking players away from clubs on free transfers. Hernanes’ sale is not an operation against Lazio, but in favour of the club because it allows us to focus on the future with those players who have accepted our project.
“It is not like Hernanes had decided already not to renew his contract. He remains a great person, a great man and I continue to think that.”
