Lazio have officially reinstated Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to their Serie A squad list following the midfielder’s return to full fitness.
The Nigerian international was initially excluded from the Biancocelesti’s league squad after sustaining a biceps femoris injury in his right leg during the Derby della Capitale against Roma in September. With his recovery now complete, Dele-Bashiru is once again available for selection and has resumed full training.
To accommodate his return, Lazio removed full-back Elseid Hysaj from the squad list. The club reportedly waited until medical clearance was conclusive before making the change, particularly with Dele-Bashiru expected to be named in Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December.
The 24-year-old has also been linked with a possible January transfer, though Lazio have yet to comment on his long-term future at the club.
Dele-Bashiru has made four Serie A appearances under Maurizio Sarri this season and is expected to be available for Lazio’s clash with AC Milan on Saturday.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s reinstatement to Lazio’s Serie A squad marks an important personal turning point in what has been a fragmented debut season.
Before his injury in the Derby della Capitale, the midfielder had shown glimpses of the dynamism that convinced Lazio to bring him in—powerful ball-carrying, vertical runs, and a willingness to attack space from midfield.
His absence exposed just how much Maurizio Sarri values that profile, especially in a side that has struggled for consistent creativity between the lines.
The timing of his return is significant. With the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, Dele-Bashiru needs rhythm, game minutes, and sharpness to cement his role with Nigeria. Lazio’s decision to drop a senior figure like Elseid Hysaj to make room underlines the club’s belief in his upside and long-term relevance to the squad.
However, his future in January remains an open question. Interest from abroad and his limited minutes before injury mean every appearance from now until the winter window doubles as an audition—both for Sarri and potential suitors. Saturday’s clash against AC Milan offers exactly the kind of high-intensity, tactically complex environment where his physicality and forward thrust could stand out.
For Dele-Bashiru, the coming weeks are about proving durability, asserting his midfield identity, and showing he can be more than a rotational option. His comeback gives Lazio depth, but it also hands the player a chance to reshape the narrative of his season.
