Lazio president Claudio Lotito admits they're still attempting to reach a deal for River Plate goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo.

"This story has been going on for a year and a half," he groaned. "But we are negotiating and searching for a solution that suits both parties.

"According to our side, he has all the documents necessary to gain Italian citizenship, but the chance of signing him in January depends on how long the bureaucracy takes and it can be between three and 12 months."