Just to be clear, I don't think he is pushing out. There are varying degrees of aggressiveness when a player is interested in a move. My belief is that his preference is for a transfer away to a big club, based on his father's comments. He does appear to be very professional though. He always responds to rumours very diplomatically without hinting anything - but he hasn't closed the door to an exit either.
He certainly won't force a transfer nor hamstring Lazio, but also I think in part to Lazio's policies regarding transfers. In the last 5 years, I cannot think of any sales of young players with potential or impact players in their prime.
Candreva was rumoured for years to be of interest to other teams, but Lolito always asked for too much. He sold him when he was past his prime. The same thing applied to Hernanes. Felipe Anderson as well, was untouchable until it because obvious he wasn't the next big thing (in 2014/15, it looked like he could be). He still sold him for ~40M, with bonuses to ~50M. Biglia as well was not sold until he was past his prime.
Then there is Keita. Keita had been pushing for a transfer for 2 years. Rumours first came out in '15 when he was left on the bench for a game and made a stink. In '16, the request was official and he didn't even show up for parts of training. In '17, he rejected renewal offers, and with 1 year left on his contract he was sold for ~30M
Lolito also lost Pandev on a free after a public spat. He asked for a transfer and was frozen out for a year. Eventually he appealed to the league, he won the case, and his contract was cancelled.
So the fact is you're dealing with Lolito and Lolito doesn't bend to agents. He asks for huge fees, and won't sell if he doesn't get them. If you behave aggressively, he will not hesitate to fight you publicly.
So from SMS's perspective, assuming he wants a transfer to another team, he has a few options:
1) Remain professional, do not rule out a transfer, but remain clear that Lazio is your focus. He can then hope that a buyer will hit Lolito's bid. And quite frankly, it is possible because SMS is physically a very unique player, and his potential is high.
2) Mention to Lolito that your preference is leaving, but make it clear that there is no rush. Perhaps, Lolito sours, but he probably will say "OK if a team pays X"
3) Aggressively push for a transfer, and make it public. The likely outcome is that he is frozen out/ given reduced playtime, or simply has to play while it is very obvious that there is public spat, an uncomfortable outcome for anyone.
4) Refuse to play, where Lolito will fine you, and he will not bat an eye during the whole spat.
My point is that when you're dealing with Lolito, the prudent thing to do is stay professional, and do not make a public spat out of it. Keita only got out because he had a year left when he made his loudest stink, and Lolito didn't want to lose him for nothing.
If I'm a player, I would not sign for a team like Lazio because unlike Roma for example, there is little mobility. It is certainly not a case of "if the player wants out, we will sell him." Lolito will hold players to their contracts.
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