Exclusive: Fiorentina identify next Italian talent after Fazzini | OneFootball

Football Italia understands that Fiorentina are interested in securing a deal with Ligue 1 side OSG Nice for the transfer of former Empoli centre-back Mattia Viti after all-but wrapping up a deal for Jacopo Fazzini, who has also come through the ranks at the Stadio Castellani.

Fiorentina identify Viti for defensive reinforcement

Football Italia can reveal that Fiorentina have set their sights on 23-year-old centre-back Viti, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan with Empoli from parent club Nice.

Viti came through the Empoli youth ranks before moving to France in a €13m deal in 2022. He has since returned to Italy for two separate loan spells with Sassuolo in 2023-24 and with boyhood side Empoli in 2024-25.

EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Mattia Viti of Empoli FC greets the fans after during the Serie A match between Empoli and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 14, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

While Empoli had an option to buy clause included in their loan deal for the season just gone, that will not be activated following the club’s relegation to Serie B.

Fiorentina have a concrete interest in picking up Viti in the summer transfer window, and could potentially go all the way to finding an agreement with Nice.

The former Italy U21 international has two years remaining on his current contract with Nice, which runs until the summer of 2027.

Fiorentina, who have a deal in place for Fazzini, also from Empoli, are understood to be focused on quality young players heading into the summer transfer window.