AEK is reportedly monitoring the situation of Lazio's Croatian midfielder, Toma Bašić, as the Greek club looks to bolster its defensive midfield options. However, they may face competition, with his former club Hajduk Split and Italian side Empoli also linked with the player. The 28-year-old has found himself on the fringes of the Serie A club's squad, prompting speculation about a potential move away from Rome. Bašić, who joined Lazio from Bordeaux in 2021, has struggled to secure a regular starting spot and was even omitted from the initial Serie A squad list for the current season. Although he may be temporarily reinstated due to an injury crisis at the Roman club, his long-term future appears to be elsewhere. Lazio is understood to be open to a transfer to offload the Croatian international, whose contract runs until June 2026. A significant factor in any potential deal is Bašić's salary, reported to be in the region of €1.4 to €1.6 million per year. This has already proven to be a stumbling block for a return to Hajduk Split, with negotiations repeatedly stalling over the division of the wage bill for a loan deal.