Lille announced to have reached agreement with Fiorentina for the transfer of Jonathan Ikoné. The striker already practiced with the Viola yesterday while waiting for the paperwork. He leaves Les Dogues after four seasons. He was a major contributor to their title run in 2020-2021. The forward has notched 16 goals and 27 assists in 150 appearances with the French club.
The Gigliati had been looking for another pacey attacker to round out their frontline. The Frenchman is their second international addition in the role. They acquired Nicolas Gonzalez from Stuttgart last summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, Fiorentina paid €11M plus €4M add-ons to purchase Ikoné. He penned a five-year contract.
Coach Vincenzo Italiano weighed in on the newcomer in a recent presser: “He is a quality winger and will complete a department where we already have a few strong players. I hope he will be able to adjust right away and help a team that is doing fine. He played for a side that had extraordinary seasons in Ligue 1. He will be added to the four options we currently have at the position. I care deeply about the forwards making the right movements, and I think he will be able to do them.”
Fiorentina stepped up their efforts to sign Ikoné once Sassuolo shut the door for Domenico Berardi, at least for January. The 23-year-old can feature in multiple offensive roles. The gaffer previously suggested they wanted to move Gonzalez to the right flank, while he has generally played on the left so far.