Fiorentina defender secures loan to Genoa

Full-back Mattia Cassani has officially signed with Genoa on loan from Fiorentina, with the Grifone having the option to purchase at the end of the current campaign.
The Italian international had been the subject of interest of a number of clubs in the January transfer window, including Palermo, Roma, and Inter.
The Marassi outfit released a statement Wednesday confirming the acquisition.
“Genoa Cfc announce that a deal has been concluded with Acf Fiorentina for the temporary acquisition, with option to make the move permanent, of defender Mattia Cassani.”
The former Palermo man had struggled for playing time in Vincenzo Montella’s 3-5-2 system, appearing just eight times, four of them starts, in Serie A this season.

Vecino: 'Fiorentina dream come true'

Fiorentina’s new signing Matias Vecino had his first training session today and declared “this is a dream come true.”
The 21-year-old Uruguayan midfielder completed his transfer from Nacional Montevideo this week.

“I was eager to start training with the squad and curious to meet a new city and new challenge, but it all went well,” he told the official Viola website.
“Our objectives are big and this is a dream come true, as I want to grow as a player here. I am an attacking midfielder who likes to play close to the box. My favourite player is Zinedine Zidane.
“I have Italian origins and hope to soon register an Italian passport, even if I don’t speak the language well yet.
“I already spoke with Marcelo Larrondo and Mati Fernandez, who helped me feel at home. I can already tell the intensity in training is different and you work more on tactics.
“Alvaro Recoba told me about Italian football and said Florence is a beautiful city. From what I’ve seen so far, it really is a place where you can live well.”

Arsenal £20m offer for Jovetic?

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £20m offer to tempt Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic away in the January transfer window.
According to the British media, the Montenegro international is a prime target for Arsene Wenger, who also heaped praise on Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy recently.
The rumour comes just days after Fiorentina again assured Jovetic was not for sale, even with the arrival of Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.
Juventus have repeatedly made offers for Jovetic and seen them rebuffed, as the Viola are flying high in Serie A and pushing for a European place.
“Juventus have to get over it,” smiled general manager Sandro Mencucci on Sky Sport Italia.
“Jovetic is staying next season even if Giuseppe Rossi has arrived.”

Giancarlo Antognoni: Fiorentina want a striker

Fiorentina legend Giancarlo Antognoni thinks that the Viola are just a striker away from being a stable top three side.
The Tuscan giants have been a revelation this term and they are third after 18 games, but Antognoni sees a Powerlessness in attack.
“This Fiorentina side needs a centre-forward,” he said Firenze Viola. “I have great respect for Luca Toni and the others, but they definitely require a forward.
“Let’s say that if they had a player like Roma’s Pablo Daniel Osvaldo then qualifying for the Champions League this season would be clearly available to them.”
Osvaldo is actually a former Fiorentina player. The Argentine-born striker scored just five goals in 21 games over one and a half seasons in Florence, but he’s now a recognised Italian international.
Osvaldo has nine goals in 13 League games for Roma this season.
Fiorentina’s top scorer in Serie A in 2012-13 is Stevan Jovetic with eight, while Toni has grabbed six in 14 matches.

Fiorentina Style: it's Christmas Time

This year Violachannel.tv and everyone at Fiorentina have prepared a special video to wish you Merry Christmas: players and staff groove to the tune of a hit song adapted for the Viola by DJ Carletto (from Italian radio station Rtl 102.5)