Report: Bernardeschi requests transfer away from Fiorentina

It’s a matter of public knowledge that Inter Milan are desperately trying to sign Federico Bernardeschi. We’ve known it for a year now. Despite reported interest from Juventus, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, the Nerazzuri have always seemed his most ardent suitors. As Fiorentina fans, we can live with that; we’re used to having the mega-rich clubs cast covetous eyes at our favorite players.

A new report from Premium Sport (as relayed by Violanews.com), though, claims that Berna has handed in a transfer request to Pantaleo Corvino and company with an eye to joining Inter or Juve. It’s a real shot in the teeth for the Viola, as the Italy international is the only real match-winner on the roster and was expected to be the centerpiece of Stefano Pioli‘s new, youth-centric Fiorentina, along with Federico Chiesa and Riccardo Saponara.

It stings even worse, though, since Berna is an academy product to make the jump to superstardom in a long, long time. He’s a Tuscan who joined the Fiorentina system when he was just 9 years old, and, aside from a year spent at Crotone on loan, he’s been in Florence ever since.

But more than his longevity at the club, it’s his attitude. Gigliati tifosi saw him as one of their own because they saw in him all of the finest attributes of the city. He loves Florence and has never been shy about saying so. He’s humble and always gives credit to his teammates and his coaches before taking any for himself. He’s not big on the party scene and stays out of the tabloids. It seems like nobody has anything bad to say about him; heck, his ex-girlfriend recently revealed they’d been split up for months, but that they’re still such good friends that nobody even realized it. Gianluigi Buffon says he’s a great guy. There’s nothing not to like about him.

Before we all freak out, though, it’s worth mentioning that these reports about Inter making a big play for Berna are all coming from outlets based in Milan. It’s also worth remembering that Berna and his agent said last month that they’d discuss his future, including a possible extension for the second year in a row, after he’d finished up his international duties, which won’t be for another couple of weeks. So it could be that this is all just a tsunami in a teacup and that Berna will stick around.

So keep your finger off the panic button for now. Keep your hand near it, but don’t press it. Because there’s still a chance, albeit a small one, that Fede will stay in Florence.