Fiorentina have submitted an opening bid to FC Basel for Brazilian striker Arthur Cabral, according to Fabrizio Romano. The deal looks to be for a fee of €14 million plus €2 million in bonuses.
This, of course, makes Cabral a direct replacement for Serbian phenom Dusan Vlahovic. The striker is all but on his way to Juventus after Fiorentina agreed on a deal with the Old Lady.
Fiorentina Closing in on Brazilian Striker Arthur Cabral
The Player and the Fit
Cabral is 23-years-old, making him just two years older than Vlahovic. His track record of success in Switzerland certainly speaks for itself.
In Cabral’s first season with Basel, he scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 26 league appearances. The following season, the Brazilian scored 18 goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances.
He hasn’t missed a beat this season and the striker continues to excel. In 18 league appearances, Cabral has scored 14 goals and provided four assists. Clearly, he’s dominating the Swiss Super League. A move to one of Europe’s “top-five leagues” is on the table.
Fiorentina provides a unique opportunity as they are now in need of a new starting striker. It will be difficult to replace Vlahovic’s production, but Cabral is both young and proven.
Fiorentina also recently completed a move for Jonathan Ikone with Lille. The French winger bolsters the team’s attack, and now they need another young star to go along with him. This is where Cabral comes into place. Ikone’s been thrust into Fiorentina quite quickly with three appearances already, and the same should be expected for Cabral should this deal be completed.
The club are also enjoying a decent season thus far compared to last season. Fiorentina is seventh in the Serie A table with 36 points from 22 matches. Europa League qualification is a very real possibility, and they will need all the help they can get with the departure of Vlahovic.
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