After last season’s rebuilding of the squad, Fiorentina will look to next season in order to implement the next stage as those in charge hope to see this young side progress towards the European places. While sporting director Pantaleo Corvino is expected to oversee some changes this summer, this side’s over-achievement this term will likely generate interest from Serie A and abroad in their young stars. Who will stay and who will go?
The Croatian midfielder will be heading to the World Cup, but also faces a decision over his future. His contract with the Viola is set to expire this summer and Badelj was expected to move on, however was unexpectedly handed the captaincy following the death of Davide Astori in March and this emotional tie to the club may just swing his decision the other way.
Fiorentina have offered a new deal and a decision is expected shortly, however long-term admirers AC Milan are also said to be interested in the 29-year-old who would be available to them on a free transfer.
Multiple reports suggest that Napoli will come in for the talented young winger this summer, however Fiorentina are reportedly determined to hang on to their star player. Now that Carlo Ancelotti has been installed as Partenopei boss, it may be that the youngster would relish the opportunity to work with a man of such experience, however it seems more likely that he would prefer to continue his development at the club he has known for so long.
Another player with a famous father is Giovanni Simeone, his father and Atletico Madrid boss Diego offering sound advice for his future career. The 22-year-old just completed his best season ever, racking up a total of 14 goals for the Viola and has publicly stated that he wants to remain with the club in 2018/19.
The situation surrounding last season’s number one is an interesting one. Sportiello was an incredibly important part of the Viola side under Stefano Pioli, but his loan from Atalanta is due to expire at the end of June. It was expected that Fiorentina would pay the €5 million redemption fee to make the deal permanent, however reports in the press have now cast doubts on whether the Italian stopper will remain as Fiorentina’s man between the sticks.
Alex Meret, owned by Udinese and Roma’s Lukasz Skorupski are two names mentioned as alternative options, with the conclusion of this saga set to be very interesting indeed.
According to La Nazione, Corvino is said to be in the market for a defender to partner German Pezzella – another who has revealed his desire to remain in Tuscany for next season – and another winger as Gil Dias is expected to return to Monaco following an unsuccessful loan spell. If the Viola can keep the majority of the squad together and make some key additions, next year should represent a clear improvement on 2017/18, and one that could well see them return to European competition.
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