Fiorentina announced this morning that promising young goalkeeper Tommaso Martinelli has departed the club once again on loan, this time to Avellino in Serie B. While I can’t find any official reporting, Nico Schira says Avellino’s got an option to buy him while the Viola retain a buyback clause but I can’t find numbers anywhere; I’d bet it’s under €5 million with the buyback under €10 million but that’s pure and uninformed speculation. Fiorentinanews adds that there’s some sort of clause linked
to appearances and Avellino’s promotion but I’m not sure what exactly those entail.
Perhaps because he made his senior debut on the final day of the 2023-2024 season, it’s easy to forget that Martinelli’s only 20. After sitting the bench for a couple years behind David de Gea (and getting ignored by Stefano Pioli despite preseason statements that he’d be the cup goalkeeper), he got a loan to Sampdoria last year and impressed the Blucerchiati brass. He’s also the current Italy U20 starter and will take that job with the U21s next year, given that he’s been in the Azzurini system his entire career.
20’s young but for a goalkeeper as precocious as Martinelli, it’s also when he needs to start playing regular minutes. He first grabbed everyone’s attention with the Primavera back in 2022. Working with the senior coaching staff and learning behind a legend like de Gea is great but in terms of skill development, it doesn’t come close to playing professional matches and that isn’t going to happen in Florence.
Martinelli’s obvious talent was on display at the Ferraris last year but so was his rawness. He made the odd mistake in possession, flapped at the odd cross, and generally looked like a kid taking his first steps in the adult world. That’s fine, of course. He’s a first rate shot stopper, blessed with size, reflexes, and an unflappable demeanor, so he’s up for it mentally. He just needs the seasoning that he won’t get in Florence.
New manager Alessandro Nesta probably would’ve picked Martinelli over veteran Antony Ianarilli or fellow youngster Jacopo Sassi anyways but giving Avellino a couple of financial incentives should ensure that the boy from Bagno a Ripoli begins the season as the starter and finishes it that way. The Campanians finished 8th last year despite conceding 55 goals (6th-worst in Serie B) and lost in the first round of the promotion playoffs to Catanzaro. With improved goalkeeping and Nesta’s attention to detail at the back, there’s a small chance that Martinelli could propel Avellino into the top flight next year.
It’s a good move for everyone involved and should get de Gea’s heir regular minutes so that he’s ready to take the reins in Florence when he’s called upon. In the meantime, Luca Lezzerini will back up de Gea for another year, setting up a competition next summer. In bocca al lupo, Tommaso, and see you next summer.
