Piccoli targeted by Fiorentina as first choice if Beltran sold | OneFootball

Fiorentina are seeking at least one striker, more if Lucas Beltran joins CSKA Moscow, and Cagliari’s Roberto Piccoli is top choice for €25m plus add-ons.

Beltran was not even called up for the Conference League play-off, suggesting that his move is finally imminent after a summer of numerous links.

CSKA Moscow are offering €11m for the Argentina international, but he needs to give the all clear.

Piccoli the ideal replacement for Beltran

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 16: Lucas Beltran of ACF Fiorentina celebrates the victory after the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Juventus at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 16, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The top name on Fiorentina’s list to replace him is Piccoli, as Cagliari already had contact with the Viola and set the asking price at €25m plus bonuses.

A product of the Atalanta youth academy, the 24-year-old had experiences with Genoa, Verona, Empoli and Lecce before joining Cagliari in 2024.

That was initially a loan, then purchased outright for a total of €12.5m.

Other candidates include Fotis Ioannidis of Panathinaikos, who would be cheaper at €20m, and AS Monaco’s 19-year-old centre-forward George Ilenikhena, but Piccoli remains the favourite for the role at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Only if there was no agreement for the Italian would the Tuscans then turn to other targets.