Beaten Europa Conference League finalists Fiorentina will start the 2024/25 Serie A season with a brand-new midfield. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, only Rolando Mandragora, among current Viola midfielders, will stay at Stadio Artemio Franchi beyond the summer.
Fiorentina refused to take up the buyout clause in Arthur Melo’s loan agreement with Juventus. The Brazilian fared reasonably well on Tuscany last term but seemingly not well enough to earn a permanent contract. He’s heading back to Turin to discuss his future with the Bianconeri.
In addition to Arthur, Fiorentina will wave goodbye to three more midfielders in the coming weeks. Veteran ace Giacomo Bonaventura has been a faithful servant for four years. But the 34-year-old is on his way out after failing to extend his expiring contract.
The same goes for one of the longest-serving Fiorentina stars Gaetano Castrovilli. After seven years in Tuscany, the 27-year-old will part ways with Raffaele Palladino’s side. Recurring injury problems plagued Castrovilli’s career down the tail-end of his stint at Fiorentina, deterring the club from offering him a new contract.
Perhaps surprisingly, Alfred Duncan is the third name on the list after Fiorentina refused to exercise an option to renew his deal for another season. With the trio free to find new arrangements elsewhere, Palladino’s men are in the market to fill the void.
It’s only natural to assume that Fiorentina will try to sign three midfielders this summer. Wolfsburg’s Aster Vranckx, Frosinone’s Marco Frosinone, and Sassuolo’s Kristian Thorstvedt are on the club’s shortlist.
More must-reads: