Beaten Europa Conference League finalists Fiorentina are working on multiple fronts to reinforce their underachieving frontline. According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, they have opened talks with Barcelona over a potential signing of Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque.
Fiorentina would ideally land the 19-year-old on loan with an option to buy. But after falling out of favor at Camp Nou, Los Blaugranas prefer an outright sale. While the parties share different views of the deal formula, there’s a mutual desire to strike an agreement.
Roque joined Barcelona from Athletico Paranaense as the ‘next big thing in football’ last winter but couldn’t find his footing in La Liga. Overshadowed by Robert Lewandowski, he only made two league starts in the second half of the 2023/24 season, scoring twice.
Despite a nightmarish start to life in Europe, Roque remains an exciting prospect for Fiorentina. New Viola manager Raffaele Palladino wants to overhaul his attacking options. With Andrea Belotti already departing Tuscany and M’Bala Nzola underperforming in his first season at Artemio Franchi, Fiorentina desperately need a new center-forward.
In addition to Roque, the Tuscans contemplate a summer swoop for Juventus outcast Moise Kean. Like his Brazilian counterpart, the ex-Everton ace endured a rough campaign and can’t wait to leave the Allianz Stadium. Fiorentina would offer him a fresh start if they can get a discount.
Considering Kean’s contract expires next summer, Fiorentina can realistically hope to sign him for pennies on the dollar. But that doesn’t apply to Roque, whose deal at Barcelona runs out in 2031.
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