ACCORDING TO newspaper reports, Lazio are lining up a bid for Bayern Munich's Ghanian defender Samuel Kuffour.

The Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport suggests that the Rome club have made a bid of $US 18million for the star as a replacement for Fernando Couto, who looks set to receive a 16 month ban for failing a drugs test.

If they were to land Kuffour they would have to fight off attention from Barcelona, who are also said to be keen on the ace.

The Spanish giants offered a reported $US 16million for the 24-year-old but he is expected to remain at Bayern until his contract expires in 2003.