Fiorentina plot to add a technical midfield to their ranks and have zeroed in on Verona’s Antonin Barak and Empoli’s Nedim Bajrami. Signing either would require a sizeable investment. The result of the upcoming European Conference League playoff will potentially be key in accelerating the talks.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Czech has gained steam in the last few days. The Scaligeri coach Gabriele Cioffi commented after the debacle against Napoli.
“We knew Giovanni Simeone would leave, and he was excluded from the squad. Instead, we are paying the price for other uncertain situations like this one, as players don’t know where they will continue their season.”
As per La Nazione, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano doesn’t have a preference between Barak and Bajrami. Verona are asking for €18M, while Empoli want €15M, but they are open to inserting partial makeweights in the package.
In particular, the Azzurri asked to get Szymon Zurkowski back, but he might stay in Florence. They have shown interest in Marco Benassi, who got the nod in the opener but projects to be a backup. Gaffer Paolo Zanetti weighed in after the Sampdoria game (via SportMediaset).
“I asked to keep him but, if that won’t be the case, we will replace him. We will raise our level and we already have a nice base.”
Our Take on Fiorentina Tracking Bajrami and Barak
The rich would get richer in both cases, relatively speaking, because the Viola already have a pretty well-assorted midfield. Both would augment their level of technique and scoring prowess at the position. Giacomo Bonaventura is still going strong, but you can never have enough good players. The choice will probably fall on whoever comes cheaper.
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