Fiorentina and Gaetano Castrovilli negotiating a contract extension

Quickly emerging as an early fan-favorite for the season, Nicolò Shira reports the 22-year old Italian midfielder is in negotiations for a new contract that runs until 2024, and is worth 800 thousand euros per year. Reports suggest the deal could be inked within the next 30 days. The staff’s admiration of the young playmaker has been anything but secret.

“If, over time, he manages to score more goals, we will have a rightful heir to Antognoni,” Montella told the media following the 0-0 draw against Juventus.

That is a gigantic compliment coming from a coach who has a definite affinity for elegant playmakers. Given Castrovilli’s performances against Juventus, Napoli, and Genoa, Montella might be on to something. He continually impresses with his close control, forward drives, and creative feints, all while showing the vision and accuracy of a true number 10.

Now, check out these grainy GIFs.

Castrovilli.

Antognoni.

Those GIFs are... uncanny.

Castrovilli isn’t a stranger to unfair comparisons either, while at Bari, he was referred to as “the New Antonio Cassano”. According to Gaetano himself, however, his idol growing up was Kaká.

As the young playmaker continues to grow alongside this brand new, shiny Fiorentina, it will be exciting to see how he interprets his role in midfield. While Gianluca Di Marzio’s reporters have correctly compared him to a ballet dancer, I’d like to propose an alternate narrative: he’s a shifty Jedi who can do things with the ball with only his mind.

If anyone else wants to heap pressure upon him in the comments by comparing him some sort of mythical figure, I’d love to hear it.