/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46573326/GettyImages-469582850.0.jpg)
Jose Mauri, a 19 year old naturalized Italian from Argentina, was one of the few bright spots in a dismal Parma season. With the club bankrupt and definitely in Serie B (if not worse), it's unsurprising that large vultures are circling over the talented and energetic youngster, who showcased his game during the second half of the season by doing things like netting the winner against Juventus. Mauri has been linked with Milan, Juve, and now Fiorentina.
His agent Dino Zampacorta "amply confirmed" to FirenzeViola.it that the Viola "have followed the player for a long time, and their interest is now a noted fact." Of course, Zampacorta went on to say that "Fiorentina are not the only club to have informed themselves on Mauri, the competition is fairly large."
Zampacorta went further than this, however, making statements verging on the infamously cliche "come and get me plea" by going on to say:
"The Florentine 'piazza' would be without a doubt welcome and suited to his characteristics. Mauri is a midfielder with great potential who could do very well in the Fiorentina jersey. It's early to talk, however, we need to wait [...] within a few days we will know. We are waiting to see what happens with Parma to know his future."
The Gazzetta di Parma (of all things) has also reported that the any-day-now Fiorentina mister Paulo Sousa has already contacted Mauri, "guaranteeing him a starting role." Now, while I think that the hometown paper is maybe taking liberties with their imaginations by reporting all that, Fiorentina definitely want the player, and adding him and the returning Matias Vecino would be a huge boost to the youth, energy, and flexibility of the Viola midfield, especially when those early Europa League fixtures roll around. It will soon be clear if Fiorentina will again get beaten to a promising midfield talent by a "bigger" club, or if this one will be different.