Viola Nation - Fiorentina January transfer window 2016A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2016-02-09T20:23:18+01:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/104636592016-02-09T20:23:18+01:002016-02-09T20:23:18+01:00Viola Nation writers grade the mercato
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<p>In which your humble writers rehash the chaos of the past month.</p> <h4>What was the best move <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> made?</h4>
<p><strong>Nolan</strong>: Zarate. He is unreliable at best and at near 29, isn't going to put it all together in Europe now, but he can singlehanded win games through skill alone as anyone watching this week is all too aware of. He seems genuinely motivated to be back in Italy, and was showing effectiveness in bursts for West Ham. He was the kind of gamble we needed to make. Tello is another good calculated risk, but Zarate we know is capable of something, only a question of what.</p>
<p><strong>Chloe</strong>: The best move on initial evidence looks to be the signing of Mauro Zarate. He brings something different to the team, something that has been lacking so far. Time will tell whether he can maintain the initial hunger that he has shown.</p>
<p><strong>JSE</strong>: Zarate has the innate ability at his disposal to be a footballing superstar. With that statement comes a whole host of caveats that have up until now prevented such an eventuality from transpiring. Do we have another player on our hands, who given the opportunity, could potentially resurrect a wayward career? The answer to that as demonstrated so aptly against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/carpi-fc-1909-italy">Carpi</a> is most definitely. At 28 years of age this is a player who should be at the zenith of his football ability, the fact that he perhaps isn't is telling. One thing is clear, Zarate as has already been proven is a potential match winner. So as much as I considered the signing of Benalouane crucial in terms of getting in defensive cover, I believe when all is said and done, that Zarate will be the best piece of business to come out of this <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Huw</strong>: Zarate, I guess? Speaking entirely in the aftermath of the goal against Carpi, then Zarate is a fantastic buy. Can’t wait until we’re all furious about the fact that he never, ever passes the ball when he can shoot. Technically the best transfer, but there’s not much competition.</p>
<p><strong>Tito</strong>: I'll throw a curveball here and say it was loaning Giuseppe Rossi. The tension over his playing time was a problem, especially because it was eating into Khouma Babacar's minutes. Now management can see if it's worth the headaches to keep him. I'm really hoping that he scores 15 for Levante and never gets hurt again and spends the next five years wearing purple and banging goals in like he used to; this is the first and most important step to making it happen.</p>
<h4>And the worst?</h4>
<p><strong>Nolan</strong>: The Mammana breakdown was a disaster, not only for the disappointment, but it also further created scepticism that the Della Valles are willing to improve this team, and we may have burned bridges with the Argentine club that produces the most talent (mind you, I'm biased). Benalouane is a perfectly logical fallback option, but that's all he is - a journeyman who can play in a back 4 or 3 at an average level, and hopefully not get sent off too much. With Astori still out of form, our defense is still dependent on Gonzalo without any of the young talent elsewhere.</p>
<p><strong>Chloe</strong>: The worst was the WAY things have been handled, a way that makes the club look unprofessional. The need for a defender was highlighted in August, we missed out then and yet STILL it was down to the last hour of the window before we brought anyone in.</p>
<p><strong>JSE</strong>: Letting <span>Ryder Matos</span> cut all ties with the club could prove a costly error. In two years time when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a> sell him to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/">Juventus</a> for 25 million, the DV’s will be kicking themselves. OK that probably won't happen, still I don't like the fact the player has left, not just because he has a name reminiscent of an intergalactic cowboy, but because over the course of his career as a Viola prospect I genuinely warmed to the idea of him one day realising his potential and becoming a firm fixture in the starting eleven.</p>
<p><strong>Huw</strong>: <span>Yohan Benalouane</span>, on the basis that’s there’s a real chance he might bring back the Mugatu-style <a href="http://net-storage.tccstatic.com/storage/fcinternews.it/img_notizie/thumb1/00f48577d612587133135e0bdac8b48d-05264-46d0d2d6a80d48706aa3d793de24ca67.jpeg">blonde Mohawk and beard combo</a>. Truly awful.</p>
<p><strong>Tito</strong>: I've always been a Ryder Matos apologist, and I'm sorry to see him move to Udinese for so little money is really frustrating. His versatility, pace, and willingness to do the dirty work--tracking back, running in behind, stretching play--mean that he would have been, at worst, a very functional squad player. The Zebretti are going to love him.</p>
<h4>Given the activity in the window, what are you predicting from Fiorentina now for Serie A and the Europa League?</h4>
<p><strong>Nolan</strong>: I don't see us finishing top 3 right now. The depth just isn't getting it done, the competition is playing well, and we are reverting to bad habits that sunk us last year. At this point a Europa League qualification and respectable EL run are yet again realistically better than nothing.</p>
<p><strong>Chloe</strong>: I think that a 3rd place finish is the best we can hope for, but on recent results and considering that Milan and Roma are improving I’m wondering if another Europa League place may be the best we can do. In terms of the Europa League, I think it will be tough to get past Tottenham again, they have certainly improved since last year. An early Coppa Italia exit and an Europa League exit might just mean that the coveted third place will be in touching distance.</p>
<p><strong>JSE</strong>: I will be genuinely surprised if we make it into the draw for the next round of the Europa League. I thought that pre transfer window and nothing that has happened in the interim time period makes me think any different post transfer window.</p>
<p>The League is a trickier proposition. I hope beyond hope for Champions League qualification. Though I will not be surprised if we fall off a little only to come good again and then in typical Viola fashion lose out in the most frustrating and flat out avoidable way on the last day of the season. For me Europa League is a must, anything above that can be considered a monumental achievement.</p>
<p><strong>Huw</strong>: Same as before. Battle for top three, alright but ultimately not good enough in Europa. Can see an away goal elimination to Spurs which means all focus turns to the league.</p>
<p><strong>Tito</strong>: I'm pretty much expecting another fourth place finish in Serie A. Fiorentina has reinforced and added depth, but not quite enough to put them over the top. In the Europa League, oh man. That tournament looks really strong this year, and I wouldn't be shocked or too upset if Spurs won the fixture. Considering that this was a rebuilding year and that this team is just a couple of moves away from being super-good, I'm okay with that.</p>
<h4>What move did you really want that didn't happen?</h4>
<p><strong>Nolan</strong>: As I said before, Mammana not only filled a need, but was a player uniquely suited for Fiorentina, a defender with elite passing range and a wise beyond his years reading if the game. This one will hurt for a while, especially when he ends up on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thesirenssong.com/">Napoli</a> or Roma.</p>
<p><strong>Chloe</strong>: I really wanted us to sign someone that would actually improve the squad, whereas the window really felt like we are still stripping the squad back.</p>
<p><strong>JSE</strong>: Not signing Lisandro Lopez was my biggest bugbear. Not getting Mammana was also frustrating, I guess I really really wanted the club to sign an Argentinian centre back and there is nothing intrinsically wrong with that is there?</p>
<p><strong>Huw</strong>: A right back. Any right back. An actual right back.</p>
<p><strong>Tito</strong>: Missing out on Lisandro Lopez just about killed me. Sure, he might not have worked out, but he's a quality player with a strong South American and European pedigree, he's young, and he wasn't too expensive. Freaking Luisao, man.</p>
<h4>Overall, what grade would you give Pradè and company?</h4>
<p><strong>Nolan</strong>: C. None of the moves were bad in a vacuum, we did technically fill emergency needs, but it's more dumpster diving for players who will have a short term impact at best. But I understand the winter is always a hard time to do business, so i can't blame Prade for treading water.</p>
<p><strong>Chloe</strong>: No more than 5/10, even with a limited budget, I feel that the transfer dealings could have been handled so much more efficiently.</p>
<p><strong>JSE</strong>: I would give Prade and company a generous C- with a note attached implying that in order to improve their grade they would need to focus more attention on the principle aim of their assignment.</p>
<p><strong>Huw</strong>: C. They signed players, but not of them get in the best XI. Just about got bodies through the door. Doing enough to get by, could do better.</p>
<p><strong>Tito</strong>: Frustrating market, but I think management deserves more credit than they're getting. Zarate and Tello are both very useful players, Costa's a good stopgap until Badelj returns, Kone's not bad, and Benalouane is a quality depth signing. Add in a couple of youth prospects, and this was a pretty solid winter market, even if it was a frustrating one. I'll give it a B.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2016/2/9/10924300/fiorentina-serie-a-transfer-market-gradesThe Tito2016-02-05T21:34:03+01:002016-02-05T21:34:03+01:00Fiorentina sign Joshua Perez
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<p>United States U-20 prospect Joshua Perez officiallly signs for Fiorentina after turning 18.</p> <p>One of the most highly regarded American prospects, California native Joshua Perez, has <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/66/united-states/2016/02/04/19902092/sources-fiorentina-signs-us-u-20-forward-joshua-perez">agreed</a> to a deal with <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a>. Perez himself <a href="http://www.violanews.com/giovanili/foto-il-giovane-joshua-perez-firma-il-contratto-con-la-fiorentina/">announced</a> the news on <a href="https://twitter.com/Josh__perezzz/status/695330291464982528">twitter</a> shortly after signing:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very happy to announce that I have officially signed with <a href="https://twitter.com/acffiorentina">@acffiorentina</a> and I want to thank all my friends and family for supporting me</p>
— Joshua Perez (@Josh__perezzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Josh__perezzz/status/695330291464982528">February 4, 2016</a>
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<p>Perez was a member of the United States U-17 team that took place in last summer's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fifa-womens-world-cup" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a> in Chile, where he played of the bench. The United States was eliminated in the group stage, although this is widely considered a promising generation for the improving Americans.</p>
<p>Football runs in the family for the 18 year old, who is the nephew of retired United States international <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_P%C3%A9rez_%28soccer%29" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Hugo Perez</a> - an El Salvadorian born midfielder who accumulated 73 caps and many more stepovers for the Americans between 1984 and 1994. Like his uncle, Joshua Perez is a small but skilled left footed winger and midfielder who is at his best cutting in from the opposite flank, making use of his dribbling skill.</p>
<p>Although training with Fiorentina on and off since 2013, the youngster has had to wait to sign officially. Due to FIFA rules, a player without a European passport must wait until they are 18 to officially sign with a European club. Perez turned 18 on January 21, paving the way for an official move at last.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-latest-news-updates/2016/2/5/10921494/fiorentina-joshua-perez-usmnt-usa-soccer-Nolan KB2016-02-05T13:03:01+01:002016-02-05T13:03:01+01:00Full winter market summary
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<figcaption>A+ for stinkeye, but what grade for the mercato? | Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Now that the dust has settled a bit, let's see how the team looks.</p> <p>Woah. That was probably the busiest January <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors" class="sbn-auto-link">transfer window</a> I can remember <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> having, both in terms of quantity and quality of players signing on and leaving. Let's go through and recap everything really quick.</p>
<h3>IN</h3>
<p><strong><span>Yohan Benalouane</span></strong>: The 28-year-old French centerback joined from Leicester City. It's a loan deal with Fiorentina paying €250,000 up front, with an undisclosed fee (believed to be around €2 million) at the end of the season to keep him. Unable to crack the lineup for the most unexpected team in the world, he is, at best, a decent alternative to <span>Facundo Roncaglia</span> and Nenad Tomovic, and is more of a depth signing than anything. His wage is about €350,000.</p>
<p><strong>Tino Costa</strong>: The 31-year-old Argentinean regista arrived on loan from Spartak Moscow. Fiorentina pays €500,000 for him up front; it's not known how much it'll take to keep in Florence permanently. Signed as cover for <span>Milan Badelj</span> while the Croatian recovers from a knock, Costa is sort of an injury-prone Pek-lite. His experience in Serie A makes him useful, but he probably won't last past the end of the season, in large part because his salary is €2.5 million, although it's safe to assume that Spartak is covering a hefty portion of it.</p>
<p><strong><span>Panagiotis Kone</span></strong>: The 28-year-old Greek attacking midfielder joined on loan from Udinese, with a final fee that'll probably be around €4 million. Capable of playing through the middle or on the wing, he can produce some brilliant moments, but is probably rather low in the pecking order. With reports that Paulo Sousa didn't necessarily want him, he faces an uphill battle for minutes and may well end up spending just half a season in Florence.</p>
<p><strong>Joshua Perez</strong>: The 18-year-old American attacker has signed a 4 year deal with the club. A U-20 international, he's actually been training with Fiorentina for the past several years, but has only just now been allowed to sign a professional contract. Equally comfortable on the wing or as a striker, he's one of the US's most highly touted prospects, although he probably won't make any appearances outside of the Primavera any time soon.</p>
<p><strong>Andrés Schetino</strong>: The 21-year-old Uruguayan is a defensive midfield prospect brought in from CA Fénix in Uruguay for a small fee. He didn't spend much time in Florence, though, and is now on loan at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/livorno" class="sbn-auto-link">Livorno</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Cristian Tello</strong>: The 24-year-old Spanish winger's path to Fiorentina was convoluted. His parent club Barcelona recalled him early from his 2-year loan at Porto in order to send him to Fiorentina on loan. The redemption fee remains unknown, but is probably between €8 million and €10 million, and he's got a salary of something like €3 million. The player's been saying all the right things. His searing pace provides a useful new dimension to the squad, and Barca's willingness to pull him out of a loan at Porto means they may expect Fiorentina to buy hi outright at the end of the year.</p>
<p><strong>Mauro Zárate</strong>: The 28-year-old Argentinean winger joined from West Ham for just €2 million, signing a 4 year deal with wages around €2 million. Sort of a pacier, more selfish Josip Iličić, he's equally adept at looking divinely inspired and infernally useless, although he's certainly endeared himself to the fans already.</p>
<h3>OUT</h3>
<p><strong>Jaime Báez</strong>: The 20-year-old Uruguayan striker has moved to Livorno for the remainder of the season in search of regular playing time with a senior side somewhere instead of the Primavera.</p>
<p><strong>Ricardo Bagadur</strong>: The 20-year-old Croatian centerback has moved to Salernitana in Serie B for the remainder of the year. With the arrival of Benalouane, the youngster's no longer necessary cover and can finally start competing for minutes.</p>
<p><strong>Marko Bakić</strong>: The 22-year-old Montenegrin midfielder has moved to Belenenses (of all places) until the end of the season. Freshly recovered from a back injury, he should compete for minutes with the Portuguese club.</p>
<p><strong>Gilberto</strong>: The 22-year-old Brazilian wingback has joined <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/hellas-verona" class="sbn-auto-link">Hellas Verona</a> for the remainder of the year. The pressure should be off, since gli Mastini are almost certain to drop down to Serie B, which means a talented young player can get some top-flight minutes without the burden that would typically provide.</p>
<p><strong><span>Ryder Matos</span></strong>: The 22-year-old Brazilian attacker was sold to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese" class="sbn-auto-link">Udinese</a> for €3 million, signing a 4-year deal with the Zebretti and ending his 7-year tenure with Fiorentina. He was one of the last of Pantaleo's superstars left on the team and had shown promise, but was rendered superfluous by the new attackers brought in this window.</p>
<p><strong>Ante Rebić</strong>: The 22-year-old Croatian forward is also at Hellas for the rest of the season, hoping to parlay his promising moments with Fiorentina into regular minutes with his new team and a bigger role with his parent club next year.</p>
<p><strong><span>Giuseppe Rossi</span></strong>: Deep breaths. The 29-year-old striker/talisman has moved to Levante on loan, where he should easily get the regular minutes he needs to play himself back into full fitness in a league that may protect his fragile joints better than Serie A. Then he'll be back and be Pepito again next year. Deep breaths.</p>
<p><strong>Mario Suárez</strong>: The 28-year-old Spanish midfielder has joined English side Watford for a fee of €5.5 million, with a number of incentives that could drive the fee higher, although Fiorentina will still absorb a considerable financial loss on him.</p>
<p><strong>Joan Verdú</strong>: The 32-year-old Spanish midfielder was released from his contract, allowing him to join Levante for free. The half-season he spent in Florence led to (groan) a real renaissance for him, as he'd been plying his trade with Baniyas in the UAE until <span>Paulo Sousa</span> made him a reclamation project. Honestly, it's no great loss, although his part in <em>that</em> Nikola Kalinić assist was pretty great.</p>
<p>Well, that's all, folks. It wasn't as impressive as we might have liked, but the club looks to have strengthened overall, adding some good depth in key positions. Which is really all you can ask for out of the winter mercato.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-latest-news-updates/2016/2/5/10919152/fiorentina-serie-a-transfers-january-2016The Tito2016-02-02T21:25:56+01:002016-02-02T21:25:56+01:00OFFICIAL: Fiorentina sign Panagiotis Kone
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<p>The Greek international midfielder has signed on loan</p> <p dir="ltr">As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> drew to a close, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> secured the signing of Greece international <span>Panagiotis Kone</span> from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/udinese">Udinese</a> with his former club announcing the deal at almost 9:30 pm local time.</p>
<p>He arrives with plenty of Serie A experience after scoring 14 goals in 158 outings for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/brescia">Brescia</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/bologna">Bologna</a> and Udinese, but has struggled with injury this term which has limited him to just two league starts for the Friulian side.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Udinese_1896">@Udinese_1896</a> announce that midfielder Panagiotis <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kone?src=hash">#Kone</a> has joined <a href="https://twitter.com/acffiorentina">@acffiorentina</a> on loan with a purchase option <a href="https://t.co/M1OLZyKS4L">pic.twitter.com/M1OLZyKS4L</a></p>
— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) <a href="https://twitter.com/Udinese_1896/status/694271448161095685">February 1, 2016</a>
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<p>"Fiorentina announce that they have reached an agreement with Udinese for the temporary signing of the player Panagiotis Kone," read a statement on the official Fiorentina website. "Kone, born in Tirana in Albania but a naturalised Greek, has represented AEK Athens, Iraklis, Brescia and Bologna. "Kone has also worn the Greek national shirt 28 times, scoring two goals."</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2016/2/2/10899076/official-fiorentina-sign-panagiotis-kone-from-udineseChloe_Beresford2016-02-02T15:56:28+01:002016-02-02T15:56:28+01:00OFFICIAL: Fiorentina sign Yohan Benalouane
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<figcaption>Tony Marshall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The defender will arrive in Florence from Leicester City on loan</p> <p><b> </b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LOAN NEWS: <span>Yohan Benalouane</span> joins <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> until the end of 2015/16, subject to approval - <a href="https://t.co/KuxzHj5uJa">https://t.co/KuxzHj5uJa</a> <a href="https://t.co/mg7WINOxre">pic.twitter.com/mg7WINOxre</a></p>
— Leicester City (@LCFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LCFC/status/694290259811639296">February 1, 2016</a>
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On a transfer deadline day that was filled with false dawns and looked to end in disaster for Fiorentina, the club eventually confirmed that Yohan Benalouane was signed from Leicester City.</p>
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<p>The 28 year old defender's move was reported as both finalised and scrapped earlier on Monday, with various outlets believing the Frenchman wanted any deal to come with a guaranteed option for his future.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Perhaps that should be no surprise given that this is now his fifth transfer since leaving Saint-Étienne in the summer of 2010, taking in spells with three other Serie A sides before joining former Fiorentina boss Claudio Ranieri in England back in August.</p>
<p>Making just four Premier League appearances - plus five starts in the two cup competitions - he will provide some much needed cover at the back for <span>Paulo Sousa</span>, something the Coach has repeatedly asked for since he arrived.</p>
<p>"Fiorentina announce that they have reached an agreement for the temporary signing with the right to buy of Yohan Benalouane from Leicester City," read a statement on the club's website yesterday. "Benalouane was born in Bagnols-surs-Ceze in France, on 28 March 1987 and has worn the shirts of Saint-Etienne, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/cesena" class="sbn-auto-link">Cesena</a>, <a href="https://www.crusaderschorus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Parma</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta" class="sbn-auto-link">Atalanta</a> during his career".</p>
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https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2016/2/2/10893742/official-fiorentina-sign-yohan-benalouane-from-leicester-cityChloe_Beresford2016-01-31T03:00:02+01:002016-01-31T03:00:02+01:00Mammana transfer falls through
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<p>Last night with Emmanuel Mammana on the verge of flying out to Florence, the deal between Fiorentina and River Plate. Botched transfers and accusations of unprofessionalism from other clubs and players remain far too common in the Della Valle era.</p> <p>Last night with Emmanuel Mammana on the verge of flying out to Florence, the deal between Fiorentina and River Plate. Botched transfers and accusations of unprofessionalism from other clubs and players remain far too common in the Della Valle era.</p>
<p>If it seemed too good to be true, it probably is because it was. Emanuel Mammana, the 19 year old River Plate center back widely considered one of the most promising prospects in Argentina and the alleged <a href="http://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2016/1/24/10820406/emanuel-mammana-transfer-rumor-river-plate-fiorentina-argentina">number one </a>choice of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a>, was on the verge of completing a move to Fiorentina when the deal collapsed.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ole.com.ar/river-plate/futbol/Tiraron-toalla_0_1513648692.html">According</a> to River President Rodolfo D'Onofrio, both parties were ready to finalize the deal when Fiorentina decided to change their offer at the last minute, leading River to walk away from negotiations. While D'Onofrio certainly has his own agenda, previous reports from Argentine tabloid Ole stated that Mammana was planning to fly out to Florence on Saturday, supported by the leaked squad list for this weekend's Superclásico which showed no Mammana. According to <a href="http://fiorentina.it/it/news/articolo.37.42119/pedulla-mammana-angeloni-sempre-in-argentina-la-fiorentina-spera-ancora.html">Alfredo Pedullà</a>, Fiorentina was unwilling to make up the 2 million difference between the two clubs, which seems to always be the common theme in these collapses.</p>
<p>While Fiorentina has the right to play cautious with spending so much for an unproven defender, to sabotgue the deal over one or two million Euros seems short sighted, especially on your first choice player. River blames this all on Fiorentina, but realistically they probably were dragging their feet, and why wouldn't they? River was interested in negotiating, but it would benefit them to wait until June before losing their man, at least until they finished their own <a href="http://mobile.ole.com.ar/river-plate/futbol/Cambiaron-toda-oferta_0_1513048860.html">negotiations</a> for Colón de Santa Fe's Germán Conti, another defensive prospect they identified as a replacement.</p>
<p>Unlike River, Fiorentina were in a race agaist time to finish the deal before the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a> closes, and by waiting until the last few days to get anything done, increased their odds of exactly this. After giving up on Lisandro López, it appeared all focus was on Mammana, yet they immediately capped themselves by attempting to play hardball in under a week. Alternatives were mentioned but the only one they seemed commited to was Barcelona backup <a href="http://www.violanews.com/calciomercato/caso-bartra-a-barcellona-fuori-dal-mercato-ma-non-convocato-da-luis-enrique/">Marc Bartra</a>, a player that Luis Enrique insists is unsellable and who would likely be even more expensive due to the inflation that comes from playing for Barca.</p>
<p>It seems Fiorentina will settle on <a href="http://www.violanews.com/calciomercato/de-maio-in-partenza-il-genoa-si-cautela-con-moras/">Sebastian De Maio</a>, a 28 year old veteran of Serie A and Ligue 1 current at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/genoa">Genoa</a>. De Maio is an average defender, competent but with little skill, but would certianly be more within the budget of what Fiorentina is actually trying to spend. Meanwhile they are making one last attempt to salvage the Mammana deal, however reports are the relationship has soured not only with River but also with <a href="http://www.violanews.com/esclusive/esclusiva-vn-mammana-fiorentina-non-ci-sono-piu-margini-neanche-per-giugno/">Mammana and his entourage</a>, who accuse Fiorentina of dishonesty.</p>
<p>This would not be the first time a botched Fiorentina transfer has lead to <a href="http://www.violanews.com/esclusive/esclusiva-vn-mammana-fiorentina-non-ci-sono-piu-margini-neanche-per-giugno/">bad blood</a> between the club and players and their agents - the last minute collapse for Sergej Milinković-Savić appears to not have caused any lasting damage, especially as replacement <span>Milan Badelj</span> has so far had a more impressive Serie A career, however the <span>Mohamed Salah</span> fiasco, while not the clubs fault according to most, was nevertheless the product of poor negotiation and to this day Fiorentina have damaged their relationship with both the player's camp and with Chelsea, destroying what was a valuable relationship for a club with limited means. Likewise, the biggest loss here may be distrust on the part of River Plate, a club with possibly the best youth academy in Argentina.</p>
<p>Since the Della Valle era has begun, Fiorentina has had a remarkable track record of players they almost signed who would go on to do great things in Serie A. Since the depature of Pantaleo Corvino, many of these botched moves have not only collapsed but imploded in public. Meanwhile, the last minute replacements, especially in January, rarely end up creating much of an impact. As fans, there comes a time where we can't keep blaming the other teams on consistently botched negotiations. This club needs to reflect on what is going wrong, unless of course ownership isn't really interested in going after top tier talent.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-transfer-rumors-news-reports/2016/1/31/10875772/mammana-transfer-falls-through-fiorentina-burns-yet-another-bridgeNolan KB2016-01-30T20:17:42+01:002016-01-30T20:17:42+01:00OFFICIAL: Suárez sold to Watford
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<img alt="Mario waves goodbye." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LJ16GvrjeJRECGUlddxjFLNeD58=/0x60:1995x1390/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48672025/GettyImages-494463156.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mario waves goodbye. | Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The midfielder's tumultuous stretch in Florence is at an end, surprising precisely no one.</p> <p>Well, I guess we all saw this one coming. Misfit midfielder Mario Suárez has completed his medical and been sold to Watford in the English Premier League for a fee of about €5.5 million, plus various bonuses and add-ons that could drive the final price quite a bit higher. All in all, though, it's unlikely that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> will recoup the amount they gave up for him originally.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IT'S DONE! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/watfordfc?src=hash">#watfordfc</a> is delighted to confirm Mario Suarez has signed on a 4.5-year deal: <a href="https://t.co/pzYkwdPCxc">https://t.co/pzYkwdPCxc</a> <a href="https://t.co/wcKgjVfLK3">pic.twitter.com/wcKgjVfLK3</a></p>
— Watford FC (@WatfordFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/693509766283464704">January 30, 2016</a>
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<p>Touted as the face of a new-look Viola under <span>Paulo Sousa</span>, Suárez was supposed to be the pugnacious, ball-winning destroyer who would personify the Portuguese mister's presumptive high pressure, transition-based strategy. Instead, Sousa remained focused on ball retention, preferring promising youngster Matías Vecino's superior workrate and passing. Suárez, meanwhile, languished on the bench, looking completely lost in a passing midfield on those rare occasions he got onto the pitch, and only rarely displaying glimpses of his skill and athleticism.</p>
<p>His final stats for his half-season in purple are 8 starts and 5 substitute appearances for 13 games played. He scored one splendid, albeit meaningless, goal and was booked 3 times. He should take to the more rugged English game pretty easily, especially since Watford won't ask him to do a lot of passing; it's probably why they've been after him for the past several weeks. Farewell, Mario. At least we'll always have <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/frosinone-calcio-italy">Frosinone</a>.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4C9jTKsnoKs" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-latest-news-updates/2016/1/30/10862164/official-mario-suarez-fiorentina-watford-serie-a-transferThe Tito2016-01-28T05:09:58+01:002016-01-28T05:09:58+01:00Gilberto nearing loan move to Bari
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<img alt="Gilberto, pictured here licking his lips at the prospect of more minutes." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GWEcCU_wFo1Nc4Q41d9WoLrHcyA=/0x247:2295x1777/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48662717/GettyImages-485240522.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Gilberto, pictured here licking his lips at the prospect of more minutes. | Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Brazilian youngster is in search of more minutes and should find them with the southern club.</p> <p>In a move that doesn't really surprise anyone, Gilberto Moraes Júnior is about to move to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/bari" class="sbn-auto-link">Bari</a> on a loan until the end of the season. <a href="http://www.firenzeviola.it/news/gilberto-domani-a-bari-per-le-visite-mediche-194842">Spotted in Bari</a> for a medical earlier this week, the official announcement should come in the next few days. A chance to develop in the friendlier confines of Serie B is probably just what he needs right now, although his departure does leave the Viola even thinner on the wings.</p>
<p>The right wingback was always a longshot to make a major impact with <a href="https://www.violanation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Fiorentina</a> this season, coming as he did from the second tier of Brazilian football. A Botafogo product, he had a few nice moments for the Viola this season, but generally looked lost against Italian Serie A teams. While he's got the pace and trickery one might expect of a young Brazilian fullback, he's defensively lacking and still trying to get a feel for the game. That's hardly a knock on him, though, since he's just 22 years old and adjusting to life outside Brazil.</p>
<p>His final stats for Fiorentina this season are rather underwhelming. He played 341 minutes across 7 matches (5 in Serie A, 2 in the Europa League), acquiring a yellow card. Bari, currently in 4th place, should provide a good environment for him. His primary competition for a spot will be 23-year-old Stefano Sabelli, who leads the club in outfield minutes. At worst, Gilberto should cement himself as a top backup for a squad fighting for promotion. At best, he can take a spot in the starting XI and set himself up to compete for a spot with his parent club again next season.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/fiorentina-latest-news-updates/2016/1/28/10852834/gilberto-fiorentina-loan-bari-transferThe Tito