Fiorentina Aim to Onboard Roma Fringe Midfielder This Winter | OneFootball

Serie A top-six hopefuls Fiorentina have reportedly made inquiries about out-of-favor Roma midfielder Bryan Cristante. According to Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, Raffaele Palladino’s side could soon launch a formal bid for the 29-year-old.

Fiorentina and Roma did business last summer. Edoardo Bove joined La Viola on a season-long loan. Unfortunately, the prodigious youngster suffered a cardiac arrest against Inter earlier this season and won’t be able to continue his playing career in Serie A.

Therefore, Palladino hopes to address the shortage of numbers in the midfield by adding Cristante to his ranks this winter. Fiorentina could raise money for the Italian’s arrival by offloading Sofyan Amrabat. The Moroccan is on loan at Fenerbahce and could soon seal a permanent transfer to Istanbul.

However, Cristante’s substantial salary of €4 million net per season could be a stumbling block, considering Fiorentina can hardly afford to meet his wages. Meanwhile, Roma won’t stand in their way, particularly amid an intense pursuit of Inter star Davide Frattesi.

Roma could strike a late deal with the Nerazzurri to bring the 25-year-old home. Frattesi’s arrival would likely facilitate Cristante’s switch to Fiorentina. Yet, it would probably require La Viola to play a game of patience, with the Giallorossi aiming to make a final push in the last week of January.

As for Cristante, he’s no longer indispensable at the Stadio Olimpico. He has lost his place in the starting XI under Claudio Ranieri, reinforcing Fiorentina’s confidence about getting him on board this winter.