Hernanes Will Not Be Granted Arsenal or Tottenham Transfer Without Lazio Fight

Lazio have outlined their intent to keep hold of star midfielder Hernanes, as reported by Corriere dello Sport via Nick Lustig of the Daily Star.

The Brazilian international is out of contract in the summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham just two of the clubs reportedly coveting his signature this January, according to Lustig.

Lazio's sporting director, Igli Tare, spoke of the player's importance to the Serie A club, saying:

"

Every time that I have spoken to him or his agent, I have been given the impression that he sees this as his home.

He knows what Lazio can give him, what he can have in Rome. It is vital for us that we can guarantee him an important team.

You never know what will happen in life and one day he could move somewhere else, but that day is still a long way off.

"

Hernanes is key to Lazio's play, featuring in a central attacking midfield role, so often providing the key goal for his side on the big occasion.

He had a direct hand in 29 percent of his side's 51 Serie A goals last season, scoring 11 and assisting four, while Lazio took just one point from a possible 12 in the four games he missed.

According to WhoScored, only Antonio Candreva created more chances for Lazio, and Cristian Ledesma was the only teammate to pass more, further underlining his worth in Rome.

In his three seasons in Italy, Hernanes has found the net 40 times in just over 140 games for Lazio, reaching double figures every year.

Considering he starts in midfield, in a 4-1-4-1 formation, it's a hugely impressive return and it's not hard to see why he's attracting such interest.

Questions about his future have become especially prominent since the Brazilian claimed he's in no rush to extend his stay at Stadio Olimpico, per Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia).

Aside from Arsenal and Tottenham, the same paper also reports PSG are monitoring his status (via Football Italia).

Despite the fact Hernanes is potentially available for a cut-price fee in January, the French side's financial freedom may complicate a transfer to either London side.

Adding a midfielder capable of notching double figures each season is clearly beneficial, although both Arsenal and Tottenham should be wary about spending excessively in this position.

Should Hernanes' price become overly inflated, the fluidity both Mesut Ozil and Christian Eriksen have already provided their respective teams mean other areas harbour more pressing needs.