Rocco Commisso's Revolution: Unpacking Fiorentina's Whirlwind Summer Transfer Window of 2019

The summer of 2019 was never going to be ordinary for Fiorentina. With the arrival of new owner Rocco Commisso, a palpable buzz of anticipation replaced the previous seasons' frustrations. Fans yearned for a fresh start, and Commisso, true to his word, delivered a transfer window that was nothing short of a revolution.

It was a period of intense activity, marked by a complete overhaul of the squad, signalling a clear intent to elevate La Viola back to prominence.

The headline-grabbing arrivals undoubtedly belonged to veteran superstars Franck Ribéry and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Ribéry, a Bayern Munich legend, joined on a free transfer, bringing invaluable experience, leadership, and a touch of world-class flair to the Fiorentina attack.

His signing was a massive statement of intent, exciting the fanbase beyond measure. Boateng, another seasoned campaigner, arrived from Sassuolo, offering versatility and a proven goal-scoring threat, adding another layer of experience to the dressing room.

The midfield saw significant bolstering.

Erick Pulgar, a dynamic and defensively astute midfielder, joined from Bologna, quickly becoming a lynchpin. The familiar face of Milan Badelj returned to Florence, bringing his deep understanding of the club and Serie A experience after a spell at Lazio. Later in the window, Alfred Duncan also made his way to the Artemio Franchi, adding further steel and industry to the engine room.

The backline and wide areas also received much-needed attention.

Spanish full-back Pol Lirola arrived from Sassuolo, known for his attacking prowess down the right flank. On the opposite side, Dalbert joined on loan from Inter Milan, promising pace and defensive solidity. Young Serbian talent Aleksa Terzic was also brought in to add depth and future potential.

Such a sweeping transformation naturally meant bidding farewell to several key figures.

Jordan Veretout's move to Roma was one of the most significant sales, with the French midfielder having been a standout performer. Striker Giovanni Simeone also departed, joining Cagliari, seeking more regular first-team action. Goalkeeper Alban Lafont moved to Nantes on loan, while experienced defender Vitor Hugo returned to Brazil, joining Palmeiras.

These departures, among others, cleared space and funds for the new regime's vision.

The extensive turnover continued with other notable shifts. Riccardo Saponara went out on loan to Genoa, and Cyril Théréau, an attacking option, also sought new pastures. Young talents like Szymon Zurkowski were also acquired, looking to develop for the future, while players like Kevin Diks found temporary homes elsewhere.

The sheer volume of transactions underscored the profound changes sweeping through the club.

Commisso's first summer at the helm was a masterclass in aggressive rebuilding. He not only injected significant funds but also brought a new philosophy and a sense of ambition. While integrating so many new faces, especially with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising youngsters, presented a considerable challenge for the coaching staff, the 2019 summer mercato unequivocally signaled a new, exciting chapter for Fiorentina.

The question remained whether this bold new ensemble could quickly gel and translate ambition into on-pitch success, but one thing was certain: La Viola were no longer content to stand still.