What’s really going on with Cristiano Biraghi?

If we’ve learned anything this summer about Fiorentina’s plans for the upcoming Serie A campaign, it’s that we’ve learned nothing at all—with the time ticking down on the 2019 summer transfer window, we still have no idea if all of Rocco Commisso’s promises of investment will be fulfilled. The topic of Cristiano Biraghi is among the many mysteries surrounding the club’s immediate future, and things have changed quite a bit since we’ve last talked about his potential departure.

Since his arrival from Pescara in 2017, Biraghi immediately showed us just how badly Fiorentina was missing a serviceable full-back; we’ve been spoiled by his excellence in getting forward and playing quality crosses into the box, as well as his ability to protect the left flank from the pacy wingers of Serie A. Thus, it should come as no surprise that other clubs are vying for his services. Namely, two clubs that are participating in the 2019-2020 UEFA Champions League: Inter Milan and Atalanta.

Antonio Conte is allegedly enamored with Biraghi, but the left-back would also be a phenomenal addition to Gian Piero Gasperini’s left flank at Atalanta. All signs at the moment point to Inter signing Cristiano from the Viola (with one or two reinforcements being sent the other way), but this piece of business is still clouded by mystery. So, we’ve compiled a few of the credible and relevant reports about this potential transfer to get a better idea of what’s going on here.

July 23, 2019: Inter Milan are reportedly interested in Cristiano Biraghi, who Antonio Conte identified as an ideal choice to reinforce the Nerazzurri defense

August 2, 2019: Per Sport Mediaset, Inter and Fiorentina are in talks over a swap deal with Borja Valero and Cristiano Biraghi

August 5, 2019: Tuscany-based news outlet La Nazione reports that Fiorentina are interested in Matteo Politano, and that Cristiano Biraghi may be used to facilitate the transfer

August 12, 2019: Inter are attempting to include Brazilian full-back Dalbert in a deal for Cristiano Biraghi, according to Gianluca di Marzio

August 12, 2019: Gianluca di Marzio reports that Atalanta have begun negotiations to sign Cristiano Biraghi

August 16, 2019: Sport Mediaset reports that Inter are expected to sign Cristiano Biraghi on loan with an option to buy, sending Matteo Politano and Federico Dimarco to Fiorentina on the same terms

The final report here suggests that this piece of business is very close to completion, which is a concerning piece of news with so little time left in the transfer window; however, it’s suggested that we would get Federico Dimarco as part of the deal, immediately filling the hole that Biraghi would be leaving—as well as giving us a talented attacker in Matteo Politano. While Dimarco is certainly no Biraghi, he has impressed at the U23 level for Italy, and could very well prove to be a serviceable replacement.

Most importantly though, what do you think? Is a swap deal for Politano and Dimarco enough to soften the blow of losing Biraghi? Would this change your impression of Rocco Commisso and Daniele Pradè? Is this deal automatically a failure if we aren’t bringing Borja Valero back to Florence? Let us know what your thoughts are, and we’ll update you if any official news comes out.