I’m awake early here on the west coast. Let’s run through these final hours of deadline day together. I’ll update this post as news arrives. Shh, shh. It’ll all be over soon.
3:26 PM CET: Tariq Lamptey is official
For the first time since selling Michael Kayode, Fiorentina has a viable backup for Dodô. Tariq Lamptey’s move from Brighton is very affordable at €6 million: Alfredo Pedullà reports it’s a €3 million fee with another potential €3 million in bonuses. Nobody’s said anything about his salary that I can find but I doubt it’s the €2.7
million he got at BHA.
Lamptey, 24, is a Dodô clone in a lot of ways. He’s quite short, very quick, and excellent with the ball at his feet. A Chelsea academy product, he broke through under Graham Potter in 2020 and impressed with his attacking intent, although a hamstring injury stole most of the season from him. He’s also struggled with knee issues, missing big chunks of time from 2022 to 2024, and has been listed as out with an ankle issue, although that might just be code for “being sold soon.”
With just a year left on his contract, he was available for a minimal fee. He’s struggled to make his mark over the past couple of years as injuries have kept him from finding a rhythm. Tactically, he’s looked great as a wingback in a back 3 but found the demands of playing in a back 4 more demanding as his lack of strength can get exposed.
If he can stay healthy, he should offer Dodô some relief—everyone’s favorite little Brazilian has played 360 minutes in the first 2 weeks of the season—and could even push for a larger role if he hits his ceiling. This feels like a very smart deal, grabbing a youngish guy on the cheap who could be a long term option on the right if Dodô‘s contract situation isn’t resolved.
Lamptey will also be Fiorentina’s 2nd English player after Micah Richards (Bobby Duncan never turned out for the senior side). He represents Ghana at international level but, having a player born and bred in England will doubtless increase interest in the Viola in the English-speaking world.
Welcome, Tariq!
