Fiorentina’s roster next year is as much a work-in-progress as the Stadio Artemio Franchi but, unlike the venerable stadium, we’ve received a bit of certainty on a few components. Having secured salvation with the most classic of biscotti against Genoa on Sunday, the Viola triggered the conditions to make the loans of Marco Brescianini and Giovanni Fabbian permanent, according to Gianluca di Marzio.
Let’s start with Brescianini. Atalanta will get €10 million for him and he’ll sign a 4-year contract.
He hasn’t set the world alight but he’s a proven Serie A-level midfielder who is, at 26, just hitting his prime. His physicality and work rate mean that he can play a role in most systems and perhaps the right environment can squeeze more out of him than the single goal he’s scored in 12 appearances. I’m not over the moon that he’s staying but I’m quietly confident that he is, at worst, a solid bench option.
Next up is Fabbian. Fiorentina has to fork over €15 million for him and Bologna is probably delighted, as that will triple the fee paid to Inter Milan for him in 2023. Fabbian showed flashes for the Oscar Mayers but he’s never developed into anything beyond a big, athletic box crasher. He doesn’t contribute nearly enough in buildup or out of possession. He’s just 23 and could grow into a quality player but I’m worried that the Viola won’t have leisure to develop him appropriately and he’ll wind up becoming a babyfaced Marco Benassi; Fabbian’s now on the books until 2026 and I wouldn’t be shocked if he got loaned out next year.
On the other hand, Daniele Rugani’s brief Viola career is drawing to a close. According to reports, his €2.5 million option triggers if he starts another game. Paolo Vanoli and Fabio Paratici are likely in complete agreement that the veteran defender should remain shackled to the bench. I wish him success in his future endeavors—I’ve always felt bad for players who suffer the bullying memification that he has over the past several years—but am perfectly happy to see him depart.
Of the current crop of loanees, that leaves just Manor Solomon and Jack Harrison unaccounted for. Fiorentina has purchase options on both and doesn’t seem certain which way to jump. I’d prefer both to walk away—Solomon’s got the talent but is constantly hurt, while Harrison’s limited but offers an exemplary attitude—but Paratici’s got a thing for the former in particular and could make the move permanent if he thinks that’s the best value he’ll find for a player of that level.
Value is the key word here because Fiorentina’s financial situation could get tricky. Brescianini and Fabbian just burned through €25 million in transfer fees before we get to June. Committing more to loan fees could limit the club’s flexibility later in the summer. Paratici plans to reduce the squad size and, with the start of a new cycle, might push out some figures considered to be key starters.
Without revenue from Europe and with game day income limited by the ongoing construction at the Franchi, there’s less money to play around with. Another variable is how much the Commisso family will invest post-Rocco, especially with the looming specter of a sale. Fiorentina will probably have to earn at least as much as it spends on transfer fees this summer.
And now the club’s spent €25 million on a couple of players who are fringe starters at best. I like both Brescianini and Fabbian and want them to succeed. I can close my eyes and pick out an image of a competent midfield 3 of Brescianini, Cher Ndour, and Nicolò Fagioli. I can’t quite figure out how Fabbian fits in. Fortunately, that’s not a job for a blogger. It’s a job for whichever coach Paratici picks in the next month or so. Either way, welcome (officially and permanently) to Marco and Giovanni. And an early farewell to Rugani.
