Fiorentina Transfer Market: More Heart Than Money Needed to Convince the Croatian Star to Return
Marcelo Brozovic’s situation remains to be determined, and Fiorentina hasn’t entirely given up on letting the experienced Croatian go to Fabio Grosso. The midfielder, who has long been a fixture in Italy while playing for Inter, is a free agent and can still be signed by any club. One major hurdle is the financial agreement with a player who has earned a fortune in recent years while playing for Al-Nassr, the Saudi club that also has Cristiano Ronaldo on its payroll. The Viola, who have gotten off to a rocky start in Serie A (two crushing defeats—the first on the road against Roma, the second at the Franchi against newly promoted Frosinone), are banking on the 1992-born player’s never-hidden desire to play in Italy.
Fiorentina isn’t the only suitor, however. Brozović had long been on Juventus’s radar, and in recent weeks, the club had seriously considered him as an alternative to Franck Kessié. Luciano Spalletti himself had been pushing for his arrival at Continassa; he spent several important years with the Croatian midfielder at Inter and is well aware of his qualities. In the end, the Bianconeri decisively shifted their focus to Kessié, effectively leaving the field open for the Viola, but they were unable to sign the Ivorian…
On the transfer front, Fiorentina experienced a particularly hectic final day of negotiations. Sporting director Paratici finalized several incoming and outgoing transfers before the summer transfer window closed. Up front, the club signed Pedro Gonçalves from Sporting on a paid loan with an option to buy set at 22 million, Beto from Everton on a permanent deal for 18 million, and Willy Gnonto on loan from Leeds. On the outgoing front, Moise Kean moved to Como for 35 million plus bonuses, Gudmundsson went to Lazio on loan, and Nzola joined Cagliari on a permanent transfer.
It was precisely the departure of Rolando Mandragora—sold to Torino for five million euros—that opened up a spot in midfield that the Viola management would now like to fill with a player who has international experience. Brozovic is exactly that type of player: a playmaker capable of dictating the pace of the game, with a top-tier resume built during his time at Inter and in the Saudi Pro League. The main obstacle remains financial, as the Croatian is accustomed to salaries that are difficult to match in Serie A.
