OFFICIAL: Fiorentina finally close for Duncan

In a move that we’ve been expecting for weeks (despite Beppe’s recent hints to the contrary), and which Szymon Żurkowski’s recent departure for Empoli on loan clearly presaged, Fiorentina have finally reinforced the midfield with Alfred Duncan. The former Sassuolo player will arrive with all the expectations of a €15 million price and should unseat Marco Benassi in central midfield very soon. The formula of the deal is a loan with the obligatory fee likely due in June.

The 26-year-old Duncan should slot right in, given that he’s already familiar with Giuseppe Iachini’s methods from their time together with the Neroverdi. A smart vertical passer who can play the killer pass—his 5 assists this year lead Sassuolo—he can also do the dirty work in the engine room and even carry the ball forward if necessary. He should fit into the Viola setup perfectly next to Erick Pulgar’s pit bull style in the holding role and Gaetano Castrovilli’s dynamism as a perfect balance between the two, adding defensive solidity without sacrificing attacking ability.

A product of the Inter Milan youth setup, the Accra-born midfielder has already spent 2 years in Tuscany on loan at Livorno before stops at Sampdoria and subsequently Sassuolo. Now a full international for Ghana with 8 caps, a move to Fiorentina feels like a smart step in a career that’s steadily built momentum. This move does come with a bit of baggage, following Viola supporters’ shameful treatment of him earlier this year, so we’d all better make it clear that we support him and not those morons. We’ll start: Benvenuto, Alfred!