Fiorentina join hunt for Boudebouz

We’ve talked before about how, well, bad Fiorentina look without the inventive passing of Borja Valero. The Spanish maestro isn’t getting younger, so finding a backup/eventual heir is of critical importance. Montpellier’s Ryad Boudebouz would be a fine understudy, and may even have the quality to be a long-term replacement.

The 26-year-old can play all over the pitch: he’s comfortable on either wing, playing just off the striker, or even in a deeper midfield role, but he’s probably at his best as a number 10. He’s a nifty dribbler, has some pace, is a wonderful and inventive passer, and knows what to do in the final third, as evidenced by 7 goals and 3 assists in 17 appearances.

He’s not exactly a defensive presence, but that’s hardly the biggest problem standing in the way of a transfer right now. He moved from Bastia to Montepellier just this past year and signed a new contract to keep him in Occitania until 2019, so he won’t come cheap. Moreover, Lazio are also closing in on him, as are Villarreal, West Bromwich, Everton, and Newcastle. It’s a tall order to beat out so many other big clubs, but Corvino’s certainly