We’re a week away from the transfer window actually opening, which heralds the return of loanees to their parent clubs. In Fiorentina’s case, that means declining the purchase options for Manor Solomon and Jack Harrison (unless Fabio Paratici abruptly changes course). With Albert Guðmundsson edging toward the exit as well and Fabiano Parisi out until October at least with a knee injury, the Viola need wingers in a bad way, and bah gawd that’s Luca Koleosho’s music.
Paratici and company have apparently
reached an agreement with Koleosho on personal terms for a 5-year contract and are now in touch with Burnley to make the move happen. The Clarets are asking for €10 million and despite being relegated, the power of parachute payments means they won’t have to settle for less as they plan for life in the Championship. Still, this feels like the sort of deal that could suit all parties so I wouldn’t be surprised if they got it knocked out early.
Koleosho has been on the radar for a long time. He’s got Italian, Canadian, Nigerian, and American eligibility (playing at youth level for the US and getting called up by the Canucks but never getting into a game) but debuted for the Azzurri alongside Pietro Comuzzo and Cher Ndour a couple weeks ago. Born in Norwalk, Connecticut, he moved to Spain aged 12 and came through the ranks at Espanyol before Burnley shelled out €3 million for him in 2023, playing a bit part role in the club’s relegation and subsequent promotion.
It’s been downhill since, alas. A loan back to Espanyol brought just 3 league appearances off the bench and a January spell at Paris FC, while marginally better, failed to convince les Bleus to pick up their option on him as he failed to displace Jonathan Ikoné, of all people, in the XI. It’s a disappointing state of affairs for a player who supposedly garnered €20+ million offers just a couple years ago.
Still just 21, Koleosho’s primary attribute is that he’s faster than everybody else. He fits the archetype of the 1-v-1 winger, the type who can beat a defender to deform a low block or go roaring into space in the open field. From what I can tell, there are two things that set him apart from the basic speedster prospects (e.g. Gil Dias, Rafik Zekhnini) that Fiorentina’s targeted in the past. First, he’s always looking to pass rather than take the ball himself, hinting at untapped potential as a playmaker rather than just a dribbler. Second, he’s a workhorse, constantly making both runs over the top to stretch the defense but also tracking back diligently.
He’s not a perfect player, obviously. Like most 21-year-olds, he can’t perform at a high level week-in, week-out. His off-ball movement and decision making aren’t reliable and he’s prone to momentum-killing turnovers. Still, he’s got all the tools to be a difference-maker and, more importantly, seems to have the right mindset. All of his coaches praise his desire to improve and his intensity.
A right-footed speedster with some playmaking chops? It’s too easy to say that Fabio Grosso may have found the Viola version of Armand Laurienté. For one thing, Koleosho has mostly started in deeper positions before bursting into space rather than hugging the touchline and staying high, although I don’t think he’s incapable of fitting his play style to new principles, especially if Grosso can bring Sassuolo’s incredible development of wide forwards to bear in Florence. In short, I’m cautiously optimistic about this one. Koloesho’s young and talented. If things break right, Fiorentina could add another piece to its young core for just €10 million.
