With the transfer window now shut for the remainder of the season, attention now turns to whether or not this current Viola squad is adequately equipped for a successful battle to beat the drop. In keeping with the vast majority of clubs across the length and breadth of Europe, Fiorentina had a relatively quiet transfer window, but there were a number of notable arrivals and departures to digest.
The month began with the sale of striker Alberto Gilardino to Genoa for €8mllion, a move that was arguably beneficial for all concerned. The World Cup winner was once a talismanic figure for the Viola, and was a key figure in the club’s run to the knock out stages of the Champions League in 2010.
However, he has looked a shadow of his former self since returning from a knee injury sustained in only the second game of the season, managing just one goal in the ten appearances prior to his departure.
Not only had the goals seemingly dried up, but Gilardino’s overall play appeared symbolic of the general malaise that has set in at the Artemio Franchi this season, never more so than in an anonymous performance in the 2-0 defeat to Inter at the San Siro as the winter break approached.
To receive such a sizeable fee for a player contributing little to the side and who will turn 30 in the summer has to be considered a good piece of business for the club. For Gilardino’s sake, it is to be hoped that a fresh start at Genoa will give his career the kick start it deserves.
Gilardino’s immediate replacement was the often maligned Amauri, who arrived on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.
A string of impressive performances for Palermo had prompted the Bianconeri to part with over €20million for the Brazilian born striker in 2008, but a disappointing time in Turin has seen his stock plummet dramatically in recent seasons, and he had been deemed surplus to requirements by Juventus coach Antonio Conte.
Having enjoyed a reasonably impressive loan spell with Parma during the second half of last season, Fiorentina fans will be hoping for a similar string of performances from the striker over the coming months, as the side look to distance themselves from the relegation scrap.
His first start for the Viola came during the 2-1 victory over Tuscan rivals Siena on Sunday, and after a slow start, he produced an impressive performance.
With the side leading through Stevan Jovetic’s early strike, Amauri went close to doubling the lead with a number of good opportunities, including an acrobatic overhead kick and a blistering strike from just inside the box which Siena keeper Gianluca Pegolo somehow kept out.
Indeed, the forward thought he had marked his debut with a goal, as he appeared to head home Riccardo Montolivo’s deep corner into the box. However, closer inspection revealed that Cesare Natali had claimed the decisive touch.
Nevertheless, it was an encouraging start for Amauri, who received a standing ovation when substituted five minutes from time.
Also arriving at the Artemio Franchi on transfer deadline day was Ruben Olivera, on a permanent transfer from Lecce. The Uruguayan international has proven Serie A pedigree and should prove to be a good acquisition if he can control his temperament.
Heading through the exit door was Gianni Munari, who has joined a struggling Sampdoria side in Serie B. A largely peripheral figure for the Viola this season, his departure will not be too keenly felt.
One of the most surprising aspects of this transfer window from a Viola perspective centred on two transfers that didn’t happen, with Montolivo staying put, and a deadline day deal for Ajax’s Moroccan forward Mounir El Hamadaoui falling through at the eleventh hour.
As with Gilardino, Montolivo was an integral member of the squad that performed so well on the European stage under former coach Cesare Prandelli, and his decision not to sign a contract extension during the summer prompted one of the longest running transfer sagas of the season so far.
Citing the club’s apparent lack of ambition, Montolivo had hinted at a desire to leave Florence for a fresh challenge, and it was widely presumed that the club would cash in on the midfielder in January while he remained a saleable asset.
However, no such move materialised, and the midfielder will see out the remainder of his contract at the club. Viola fans will be hoping he is keen to impress former boss Prandelli – now in charge of the Azzurri – with a view to heading to the European Championships this summer.
The move for El Hamadoui controversially fell apart when the Amsterdam club allegedly asked Fiorentina to provide a bank guarantee after the deal had been all but finalised.
A club statement said: “Fiorentina announce that it has not been possible to complete the purchase of Mounir El Hamdaoui from Ajax Amsterdam because, after negotiations had been concluded successfully both with the player and the club, the Dutch club just minutes before the end of the transfer window asked a bank guarantee to the payment, when there was no time to obtain one, in contravention of common practive followed by all major European football clubs.”
It was an unusual end to what was a largely straightforward transfer window for the Viola, who will now look to steer their way to Serie A safety with what will hopefully be a minimum of fuss. Do not be surprised if the business conducted in January sees a marked improvement in form.
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