Attention around Gremio’s Viery has grown in recent weeks and Newcastle United are in the mix for his signature.
Last week, SportWitness covered how the defender can leave the Brazilian club in the summer. While Bologna see him as a replacement for Jhon Lucumi, Nottingham Forest had already stepped forward for his signature.
The Italian media saw English competition as a major threat, with Viery having done quite well for Gremio across the season. He has played 26 times in all competitions, now having finally become a regular for them.
It is Newcastle United who can now have an advantage in the race for the 21-year-old.
Premier League keeping an eye
Corriere dello Sport – via LabaroViola, today report that Fiorentina have now stepped forward for the left-footed defender. They have made a formal offer, putting forward €12m for his signature.
La Viola are keen on making sure that they sort out key business in June. But when it comes to Viery, the task will be far from easy.
Newcastle United are in the race and could now be favourites to land him. This is mainly because of their financial prowess, with Gremio demanding a fee of €20m for the youngster’s departure.
Fiorentina won’t be able to afford that and the newspaper are categorically clear about that. This will hand a big advantage to the Magpies, even if they haven’t qualified for Europe this season.
Entourage likely playing games
The way multiple English clubs have been linked with Viery suggests his entourage is pushing him to the Premier League. They are, in a way, using Italian clubs for that, constantly clarifying that Serie A teams won’t be able to afford the defender.
This feels like a convenient strategy too. Even if a suitor like Newcastle United doesn’t step forward for Viery, Gremio would end up keeping the player. He would only progress his development, especially if the Brazilian club don’t stoop below the current €20m price tag.
The player won’t mind any of it as he will benefit from however things go in the summer. All he should seek is a clear pathway towards development – be it at St James’ Park or in Italy.
