Former Chelsea defender Tariq Lamptey began a new chapter in Serie A last summer when he joined Fiorentina on a permanent transfer from Brighton. Unfortunately, his time in Florence hasn’t gone as expected, and matters may soon worsen.
La Gazzetta dello Sport and TMW report that Lamptey’s stint with La Viola may come to an early end.
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Fiorentina invested €6 million to acquire him, but he has been sidelined for over six months due to a significant knee injury. His ongoing fitness issues have plagued him for several seasons, and this trend appears to continue even in Italy.
While the timeline for Lamptey’s return remains uncertain, Fiorentina is on the verge of terminating his contract. Official paperwork for the termination is expected to be signed, given that the former Brighton star has only appeared in one Serie A match.
Though it seems severe, this decision could relieve some financial strain for Fiorentina. The Ghana international commands a weekly salary of €44,000, a considerable expense under current circumstances. Given his physical concerns, breaking into the first team in Florence seems exceedingly unlikely.
Fiorentina would be better served seeking a more fit and potentially younger full-back. Niccolo Fortini has had a promising season, suggesting that a suitable replacement might already be within the squad for Paolo Vanoli’s team.
Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN