Lazio vs Palermo preview - Vazquez boost for Palermo

Palermo fans have received good news ahead of Sunday's match at Lazio, with the Sicilian outfit confirming Franco Vazquez will remain at the club next season.

The Argentinian playmaker has attracted the attention of top teams in Serie A after scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in his 22 league appearances.

Reports in Italy claim Vazquez is Juventus' top target for this summer, while Napoli are also in the race to sign the South American player.

"There has not been, nor will there be, any contact between Palermo and Juventus or between our club and Napoli for Franco Vazquez," Zamparini said in a statement on his club's official website. "The Argentinian will be an important player next season.

"We find these false reports to be profoundly incorrect. In any case, to discourage any approaches, the player's buy-out clause is fixed at over 25million euros."

Vazquez recently signed a new contract that will keep him at Palermo until June 2019.

The 25-year-old scored in last weekend's 3-1 home triumph over Napoli which saw Palermo climb up to eighth in the table.

Vazquez and Palermo's leading scorer Paulo Dybala have formed a successful strike partnership in the past two seasons.

Dybala, who is set to be sold this summer after turning down a contract extension with Palermo, is set to start alongside Vazquez at the Stadio Olimpico.

Palermo, coached by Giuseppe Iachini, have not won on the road since beating AC Milan 2-0 on November 2.

Lazio will not have Felipe Anderson available on Sunday, with the Brazilian midfielder serving a one-match ban.

However, the Biancoceleste will be bolstered by the return of goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and midfield pair Lorik Cana and Stefano Mauri.

All three players missed last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Udinese through suspension.

The victory in Udine was Lazio's first on the road since December 7 and lifted the Biancoceleste to fifth in the standings.

Lazio, coached by Stefano Pioli, have lost two of their previous three league games at home.