The summer window is barely open and already the vultures are circling the Stadio Artemio Franchi. GoalZaza has learned from sources close to the nego...
The summer window is barely open and already the vultures are circling the Stadio Artemio Franchi. GoalZaza has learned from sources close to the negotiation that Fiorentina are prepared to part ways with Brazilian full back Dodo, with both Napoli and Roma registering serious interest. It is a pragmatic, if slightly ruthless, move from a club that knows the value of its assets in a market where right backs of genuine quality are becoming as rare as a quiet night in the Curva Fiesole.Dodo, for all his occasional defensive lapses, offers something that Vincenzo Italiano's system craves: relentless vertical thrust from deep. He is a player who thrives in transitional play, happy to bomb on beyond the winger and deliver a cross that can make even the most stubborn low block look second rate. Yet La Viola appear to have concluded that his inconsistency in his own third is a luxury they can no longer afford, particularly with the financial fair play noose tightening. It is a gamble, but one the Florence hierarchy believes they can win.Napoli, meanwhile, are in desperate need of an injection of pace and drive on the flank. Their title defence was a mess, a chaotic jumble of tactical experiments and lost identities, and a player of Dodo's forward momentum could be the spark they need to reignite that fire. Roma, under the watchful eye of Daniele De Rossi, are also sniffing around, looking to add depth to a squad that ran out of gas in the final furlongs of the season. Where does he land That depends on who blinks first in the negotiating room.Fiorentina are not just clearing decks for the sake of it; they are repositioning. Alongside Dodo, the name of Albert Gudmundsson is also being mentioned in dispatches, suggesting a wider squad overhaul is underway. For the fans, it is squeaky bum time. Selling your best attacking outlet is one thing, but selling two at once is a statement of intent that either signals a bold rebuild or a quiet admission of financial reality. Either way, the ball is now in the court of the directors.Expect this one to move quickly. The right back market is thin, and the suitors are plentiful. Dodo's agent will be working the phones, and the price tag, while not prohibitive, will be firm. Fiorentina are not running a charity; they are running a business. And in the modern game, the two are increasingly difficult to tell apart.
