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Conference League Final: Three Fiorentina stars the big clubs want
Olympiacos take on Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday in Athens.
The Italian side go into the game as favourites as they play their second final in a row in the competition, having lost to West Ham last year.
But who are the Fiorentina stars big clubs are looking at this summer? We pick out three.
READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals
Nico Gonzalez
Undoubtedly Fiorentina’s star player, Nico Gonzalez is the one player at Fiorentina who is ready to join a major European club.
The Argentine winger has been a revelation in Serie A since joining the club from Stuttgart in 2021 and has been their key player in reaching back to back European finals.
EXCL: Brentford have submitted new proposal to Fiorentina for Argentine winger Nico González 🚨🐝🇦🇷
Understand new bid is in excess of €40m package, close to €42/43m — club sources confirm. Huge salary bid to the player.
Fiorentina already rejected opening bid two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/6evKPay8n2— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2023
He possesses a wonderful left foot shot, as well as dribbling, creativity and acceleration. He is also superb in the air, with a wonderful leap.
Fiorentina have rejected €40 million-plus bids from the Premier League in recent windows. They can expect more offers this coming summer.
Michael Kayode
Michael Kayode will probably not start the Conference League final, as the right back spot will go to Dodo.
But Kayode remains one of the most promising youngsters in Serie A. The 19-year-old is a right back or right wing-back who is comfortable playing anywhere down the right hand side, including as a right winger.
The teenager burst onto the scene during Italy Under-19s European Championship victory last summer. He scored the winner in the final with a header against Portugal to win the trophy for Italy.
He has been first choice at right back for Fiorentina for most of the season but Dodo has now regained his place after returning from a serious injury.
Arsenal are big fans of Kayode and were heavily linked with making a bid in the January transfer window.
Giacomo Bonaventura
Giacomo Bonaventura could be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.
Despite the fact Bonaventura is now 34, he has just enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career.
The midfielder has an impressive eight goals and four assists and has been key to Fiorentina’s run to the final.
He also returned after a long absence to the Italy national team, scoring a brilliant goal in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta. He has been expected to be called up to the Euros but was surprisingly left out.
Nevertheless, he is available on a free transfer as his contract expires next month.