Transfer Saturday: Breath of fresh air

Goalkeepers

Well, new boy Bartłomiej Drągowski certainly isn't shy, saying in his first offical statement as a Fiorentina player that he wants to win the starting role. The first addition to the Viola squad this mercato officially signed at midnight for between €2 million and €3 million from Jagiellonia Białystok. He's signed a 5 year deal worth €500,000 a year. Judge for yourself if he looks worth it.

Defenders

With José Basanta officially sold to Monterrey and Facundo Roncaglia now out of contract and inching towards a move to Trabzonspor, you might think that keeping Nenad Tomović, the only backup defender with Serie A experience, would be a priority. You'd be wrong, though, as Torino are continuing their courtship of the Serbian international. The Granata met with his agent this week, and Tuttosport reports they've lodged a €4 million offer for him, although it's unclear if this is a new offer or an old one.

Not much news on the replacement front this go round, which is a good sign, knowing Pantaleo Corvino's modus operandi. Former target Sebastian de Maio looks like he's on the way out at Genoa and heading to Anderlecht, of all places. Croatia and Lokomotiv Moscow captain Vedran Ćorluka wants out of Russia, and has listed Genoa and Fiorentina as his preferred destinations.

The real news is at rightback. The news should break at any moment that Vitesse man Kevin Diks (stop chortling) has joined Fiorentina for €2.8 million, with just the player's signature lacking on the transfer sheet. The 19 year old is a bit of a work in progress going forward, but has the pace and the tools to be a very good player and should be ready to contribute on a limited basis.

There's more news on the rightback front, though, including Reppublica's claim that Fiorentina have also lodged a bid with Boca Juniors in the range of €5.5 million for former Cagliari and Argentina rightback Gino Peruzzi. La Nazione believes that Fiorentina's interest in Torino wingback Davide Zappacosta is real, but it sounds like AS Roma are about to make an offer as well, so maybe don't hold your breath. And word is that Gilberto is heading back to Brazil, as Corinthians want him and may try to make a loan-to-buy deal.

Midfielders

If the media can be believed, Vincenzo Montella, now at AC Milan, is planning to buy the entire Viola midfield, in deals unlikely (for Milan Badelj, whom apparently is now worth just €8 million), inconceivable (Borja Valero, which, uh, LOLOLOLOLOL), and slightly credible. That last one is for Matías Fernández, who seemed likely to leave Florence until an injury put his early season availability in doubt. Even so, Montella wants to work with him again, and the player's agent has had a short meeting with Milan officials, although he thinks a January deal is more likely. In non-Milan news, Benevento are hoping to get the services of Abdou Diakhite on loan in Serie B, which could be a good fit.

There have been some new developments on the reinforcement front over these past few days. The most exciting news is probably that Fiorentina have, according to Marca, made contact with Atlético Madrid's Matías Kranevitter, who spent last year at Sevilla on loan. The 23 year old defensive midfielder is a rather refined midfield destroyer who could be had on the cheap, espeically after an unimpressive showing for Argentina in the Copa América Centenario. For a better established option, RAI Toscana reports that Liverpool's Lucas Leiva has caught Corvino's eye, although €15 million seems awfully steep for a rather limited player. For a budget option, Paolo Faragò of Novara is back in the Viola sights. The normally reliable Alfredo Pedulla claims that Fiorentina have offered €2.5 plus incentives, but that the Biancoazzuri are holding out for €3 million plus incentives.

Next, it's time for your biweekly "Cristian Tello is about to get the deal done" update. Gazzetta says that a deal is nearly done for a year on loan and a €6.5 million redemption clause, but that's been the so-called news for nearly a month. As for the reinforcements that Paulo Sousa has requested, there are myriad names in the hopper. Torino are preparing to increase their offer for Inter Milan reject Adem Ljajić, while Milan are also considering a move. Things have gone quiet on the Marlos Moreno front, but his manager at Atlético Nacional acknowledges that he may be on the move. La Nazione believes that Fiorentina are closing in on Emanuele Giaccherini, but doesn't cite any evidence. Polish international Kamil Grosicki, whose contract with Rennes is up, is an appealing Bosman target, but Everton are also interested. Another Ligue 1 player available on a Bosman is Jeremy Pied, most recently of Nice. And finally, it sounds like Dennis Praet may renew with Anderlecht after all, which is just swell.

Forwards

Patrick Bastianelli, the agent of Khouma Babacar, claims that his client has multiple offers from the Premier League. The most recent seems to be from Middlesborough, who've reportedly offered €15 million. Dortmund, meanwhile, are targeting Josip Iličić as a Henrikh Mkhitaryan replacement, although the Viola are supposedly holding out for a hefty €16 million. UAE outfit Al-Nasr have made an undisclosed bid for Mauro Zárate, which is pretty much entirely out of left field. Ante Rebić has officially joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. In an abrupt turn of events, Sousa now seems to want Giuseppe Rossi around next year, which is maybe exciting? I don't even know anymore. And waffler supreme Mario Gómez, who's attracted interest from West Ham and, uh, Espanyol, hasn't even ruled out a Serie A return.

TuttoMercatoWeb claims that Marko Pjaca is close to joining Inter for a €15 million fee, although the Dinamo Zabreb man has personally denied that it's so. Whether he's telling the truth, or just trying to squeeze more money out of the Nerazzuri remains to be seen. Udinese are also sneaking in on Fiorentina transfer targets, as they've made contact with Carpi for Kevin Lasagna. Hull City speedster and Uruguayan international Abel Hernández continues to pop up as a Fiorentina target, which could be a decent match. And finally, let's have a look at Róger Guedes. The 19 year old Palmeiras forward can play through the middle or out wide and looks like he could be a star. Fiorentina and Barcelona are both purportedly interested in the €8 million man.