By Korede James
Premier League club Brentford are closing in on a deal with Fiorentina for their Italy-born Nigerian defender Michael Kayode, according to European transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The report on Tuesday added that negotiations at final stages after Kayode gave his green light, with key details being sorted out by the club’s.
Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino decided to leave Kayode out of the squad for their Serie A clash against Torino on Sunday reportedly due to the impending Brentford move.
The 20-year-old was one of Fiorentina’s revelations last season when he made 26 Serie A appearances.
Unfortunately, he has struggled to get as much playing time this season since Palladino’s arrival, with Dodo considered the first-choice option in his position.
As a result, Fiorentina were open to starting negotiations with Brentford.
According to Violanews (via Football Italia), Brentford would like to sign Kayode on a paid loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
However, it is reported that there would be a buy-back clause in the deal, allowing Fiorentina to bring Kayode back to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Born in Borgomanero, Italy, Kayode started his youth career at Juventus, where he remained for seven years until 2018.
He played the 2020/2021 season with Serie D club Gozzano, scoring two goals and two assists in 34 matches, as they gained promotion to Serie C.
In 2021, he joined Fiorentina after his spell in Serie D and was integrated into their youth sector.
With Fiorentina, he won one Coppa Italia Primavera and one Supercoppa Italiana Primavera.
At international level, he has represented Italy at U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels.
In July 2023, he scored the decider in the final of the 2023 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which Italy won 1–0 against Portugal.
On 17 October, 2023, he made his debut with the Italy U-21s, in the qualifying match won 2–0 against Norway in Bolzano.
