Lazio are close to re-signing defender Wesley Hoedt from Southampton according to Fabrizio Romano.
The deal is a season-long loan with an option to buy the Dutch centre-back at the end of the season. Southampton are likely to take a financial hit on the money they paid for Hoedt.
The defender will return to Lazio having left them for Southampton in 2017.
According to Romano, personal terms have been agreed between Hoedt and Lazio.
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Hoedt has dropped down the pecking order at Southampton since Ralph Hasenhuttl’s arrival. The Saints manager has been desperate to shift some of the deadwood as he looks to improve his squad.
Hoedt has spent the past eighteen months out on loan, playing for Celta Vigo and then Royal Antwerp. The Dutch defender has made 45 appearances across his spell with the Saints and a return to Lazio offers him a fresh start.
Simone Inzaghi is looking to boost his Lazio team ahead of the new Serie A season and their return to the Champions League. Hoedt’s arrival provides much-needed cover and competition with Inzaghi employing a back three system.
Hoedt enjoyed a hugely successful two years spell at Lazio between 2015 and 2017 before joining Southampton for £15 million. He made 61 appearances in all competitions and became a favourite amongst the fans. Hoedt was part of the Lazio side which lost the 2017 Coppa Italia final and won the Supercoppa Italiana a few months later. His return to Lazio offers regular football and the opportunity to work his way into the Netherlands national team ahead of the Euros next year.
Hoedt has just six caps for his country but regular football may well increase his chances of earning more caps.
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