Jovetic and Ljajic pondering Fiorentina return

Now that sumer is icumen in (lude sing, cuccu), we're starting to get all sorts of crazy rumors. The most exciting though, isn't about youthful prospects ready to break out. Rather, Stevan Jovetić and Adem Ljajić are former Viola superstars currently on loan at Inter Milan who may try to resurrect their careers back in Florence, especially now that Pantaleo Corvino is back in town. The corpulent crow signed both as teenagers, and maintains a good relationship with their agent, noted jackass Fali Ramadani.

Of the two, Jovetić is probably closer to the purple heart. After joining Fiorentina for €8 million as an 18 year old attacking midfielder from Partizan Belgrade in 2008, the Montengrin quickly endeared himself to the Fiesole as Adrian Mutu's understudy. He soon outgrew his mentor, though, and took over a full-time role in 2009, scoring memorable Champions League goals against Liverpool and Bayern Munich. After a cruciate ligament injury in 2010 (curse you, Mario Bolatti), he returned the following year in fine form, operating as an out-and-out striker and generally looking brilliant, prompting Manchester City to buy him for €28 million.

That move really looked like his undoing, though, as the ascending striker got stuck on the bench for the Citizens for two years, openly questioning his role at the club before being loaned to Inter this season. After a bright start to his homecoming Serie A campaign, he faltered significantly for the Nerazzuri, and it now looks unlikely that they'll shell out the €15 million fee to bring him on permanently.

Ljajić joined in 2010, also from Partizan Belgrade for €8 million, after a weird did-he-or-didn't-he trial with Manchester United. The Serbian winger bloomed a bit later, but had the look of a burgeoning star by the time Delio Rossi attacked him in the dugout after pulling him off against Novara. While Rossi was immediately given his marching orders by the club, Adem didn't last much longer, and was sold to AS Roma in 2013 for €15 million.

Life in the Eternal City originally favored the Serbian international, as he replaced the recently-departed Érik Lamela, but he fell out of favor and ended up on the bench for a year before being sent to Inter on loan at the beginning of the year, with a €11 million fee to make the move permanent.

Since Inter seems disinclined to bring either player back for next year, they'll both return to their respective clubs, which have made it abundantly clear that their services are no longer needed. Both would certainly fill major needs for Fiorentina, and would be guaranteed lots of playing time. Man City and Roma, recognizing the quality in the pair, are likely to want a large fee to bring them in, but could be talked down by a clever negotiater. Frankly, the move would probably agree with everyone involved, but it's still just rumor at this point.