Transfer Tuesday: Old friends

Staff

Former Fiorentina manager Cesare Prandelli may not have much of a relationship with the Della Valles anymore, but he’s still beloved by the vast majority of Viola fans. With Paulo Sousa’s seat growing ever warmer, whispers were just beginning to indicate that maybe he’d return to Florence—by far his most successful stint as a coach—now that he was itching to get back to work after parting ways with Galatasaray in 2014. Instead, though, he’s signed on with Valencia in la Liga, so keep that puffy purple vest in the mothballs for now.

Goalkeepers

Don’t freak out, but Norberto Neto’s been spotted in Florence this week. Contrary to what the rumormongers would have you believe, it’s just a vacation for him, as he’s not very busy during international breaks these days. He’s just hanging out, along with fellow Brazil reject Hernanes, and should depart again shortly.

While we’re on the subject of goalkeepers leaving Florence, Sousa was asked about Bartlomiej Dragowski in his most recent press conference and curtly replied that “the director [Corvino] is thinking about him, and I don’t need to repeat myself.” Whether that means that the young Pole is set for a January exit by loan or sale, as the grapevine insists, is up for debate.

Defenders

Former target Martin Caceres, who’s just about recovered from his knee injury and still looking for a club. After hearing that several English clubs were interested in the Uruguay and former Juventus man’s services, Cagliari have reemerged as the top option. Now flush with solid defenders, Fiorentina probably aren’t interested at all.

Midfielders

Fiorentina are lucky to have a bunch of promising young attackers. Federico Chiesa has impressed in his cameos with the senior team and Ianis Hagi is tearing up opponents with the Primavera. The odd man out is Hernan Toledo, who’s enjoyed a rocky start to his Viola career. Frequently stuck on the bench for the youth side, word is that Corvino’s already lost faith in the Argentine and won’t pay the loan fee due in 2018, opening the door for a temporary move away from Florence and eventual return to Deportivo Maldonado.

Hey, remember when Juan Vargas was the best left wingback in the world? Those days are long gone, but the player himself is still hanging around. Still a free agent, he’s been linked to a succession of Italian clubs over the past few months, including Pescara, Sassuolo, and most recently Udinese.

Forwards

Simone Zaza is still goalless after his big move to West Ham, and could be angling for a move back to Italy. While he’s clearly surplus to requirements at Juve, he’ll probably try to reestablish himself with another Italian team, and the Viola are one of the few clubs with the profile, payroll, and ambition to attract him, although the Bianconeri may have some thoughts about that.