Italian giants Lazio are set to sign Town keeper Matteo Sereni in the next few days. TWTD first reported that Roberto Mancini's side were after Sereni in early June.

The transfer is understood to be more complicated than just a fee up front, but it is unlikely that Town would accept a deal without some immediate cash.

The club were looking for something around the £1 million mark for their £4.8 million signing.

It is probable that the deal will have top-ups similar to Ulrich Le Pen's recent switch to Strasbourg. His new club will pay Town on appearances and if they make the UEFA Cup as well as the Blues getting a percentage of any future transfer involving the Frenchman.

Sereni himself is desperate to get back to Italy having previously expected Town to capitulate and allow him to join loan club Brescia, Sampdoria or Lazio for nothing.

The 28-year-old is the club's highest earner on around £22,000-a-week and his removal from the wage bill will be a boost to the club's still fragile finances.

Lazio boss Mancini and Sereni are good friends, the pair having played together at Sampdoria. He sees the Parma-born player as an ideal back-up for Angelo Peruzzi, replacing the departing Luca Marchegiani.

Early reports suggested the Rome club are offering a three-year contract at the Stadio Olimpico.

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