Sunderland will need to start preparing for life without striker Fabio Borini after the former Liverpool striker has reportedly agreed a deal with Lazio according to a report from Il Messaggero via Football Italia.
Italian media suggest the 26-year-old former Liverpool front-man is on the verge of completing a return to his home country, with Lazio proving the preferred destination. Ciro Immobile is currently the first choice striker for the Italian Serie A side, but Borini is reportedly seen as the ideal back-up player.
According to Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Borini would arrive on a €1million loan with obligation to purchase at the end of the 2017-18 season for another €4.5million.
The former Roma striker made 93 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats during his two-year spell on Wearside but a return to Italy is proving likely following weeks of managerial and ownership uncertainty.
The versatile front-man may be heading towards the exit door, and also heading in the same direction could be Sebastian Larsson.
The former Arsenal and Birmingham City winger has been offered a new contract to stay at the Stadium of Light, however the clouds of uncertainty looming over the Wearside club have furthered times of worry for Black Cats supporters.
Swedish international Larsson made 176 appearances during a six-year spell on Wearside, however the weeks of uncertainty around ownership deals and who will manage the Black Cats for the upcoming campaign in the Sky Bet Championship is beginning to signal the end of the straw for many players at the Stadium of Light.
