Report: Dalbert negotiations ongoing

Now that the season’s finally over, we’re getting into transfer market territory. The window doesn’t officially open until 2 September, but expect a spate of official announcements as clubs get their ducks lined up for the kickoff of the new season two weeks later. According to la Nazione (as reported by Football Italia), Fiorentina is working to get Inter Milan loanee Dalbert back on the roster well before the window opens.

The 26-year-old Brazilian had some ups and downs in Florence this past year but was, on the whole, a positive for the Viola. He played 2751 minutes across 34 appearances and tied for the clubhouse lead in assists with 9, which is particularly impressive when you realize that Fiorentina spent much of the season without a forward capable of getting on the end of crosses. The former Nice guy’s defense was occasionally the type to make you swear at the screen a bit, but he improved as the season went on.

It sounds like the move would be another dry loan, with Cristiano Biraghi once again heading the other way on a temporary deal. While the move does make sense, given the uncertainties around this mercato, it’s a bit of a letdown for the fans; aside from a 20-goals-a-year striker, leftback was the one position the Viola could have really used an upgrade in.

While running back with a player who knows the system and his teammates is a sound decision in a vacuum, this could be seen as the type of financially conservative business that pushed the Della Valles from popularity, especially with a number of Viola stars linked to moves away for what looks like relative peanuts.