Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino has had a busy summer in the transfer market, buying and selling with the proficiency of a Wall Street trader...
Thanks to Corvino, Fiorentina have been one of the most active clubs on the transfer market, strengthening the side with important acquisitions, while releasing players that do not fit into the ethos of the club.
Explaining the situation of the Viola now that the market has come to a close, Corvino said, “Of our ten new players acquired in the market, [Nikola] Gulan and Jefferson are considered young and will slowly grow into more experienced players in the youth team. The other eight players are all available to the first team - [Marco] Storari, [Luciano] Zauri and [Sergio] Almiron are here on loan - while the others have cost the club due to their potential.”
In terms of outgoing players, the Viola sporting director has revealed that an impressive 14 youth team players have gone out on loan to various teams in Italy, a fine expression of the teams youth development prowess. Addressing the first team, Corvino revealed, “Our 23 players plus goalkeepers are just right, even if we have one or two more then expected due to unforeseen injuries to certain players. We would not want to find ourselves unprepared.”
The only disappointment for Corvino and his recruits in the transfer market is that of a failed attempt to lure Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso. Corvino explained, “We had an agreement for him worth five million euros plus Da Costa - a deal that the Nerazzurri wanted - but then the player was taken off the market.”
A nevertheless splendid summer has lead to the signing of an impressive arsenal of players, as well as the retention of important Viola regulars in the shape of of Adrian Mutu and Sebastian Frey. The season ahead will be a great indication of what the market has provided the Viola and how well Corvino has gone about his business.