Fiorentina interested in Kasami?

With Gokhan Inler signing for Leicester City on a 2.1 million euro annual contract, Fiorentina are now looking at another Swiss international to reinforce the midfield. Pajtim Kasami, perhaps best known for this wondergoal, has been persistently linked to la Viola all summer, with the latest speculation coming from Fiorentina.it.

Kasami is most comfortable in the middle of the park, although he can play as a number 10, on the right, or as a deep playmaker. He's a large person (6'2 and nearly 200 pounds, or 188 centimeters and 90 kilos), and likes to shoot from distance. He's an intelligent passer, preferring to keep the ball on the ground, and is quick enough. Stylistically, he seems a good fit for Paulo Sousa.

However, he has a reputation for petulance. His first professional club, in fact, was Lazio, although they dismissed him after he turned up late or not at all to training on numerous occasions. While he's behaved better since then - although there have been a few vexing moments, such as his missing a loan due to a faulty internet connection - there was an ugly incident in the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup last year which resulted in a €5,000 fine for inciting the fans with inflammatory gestures.

Kasami is also a little bit of a wanderer, having played for five clubs (Bellinzona, Palermo, Fulham, Luzern, and Olympiacos) in the past five years. He's represented Switzerland at various youth levels, and has six senior caps, along with 1 goal. In his club career, he has 102 appearances and 10 goals. With three years left on his contract, though, he's expected to cost no less than €6-7 million.

We'll keep you posted on whether or not this has any legs, or if this is just a press creation because Mino Raiola is his agent. The answers will come soon enough, with August nearly half gone.