Fiorentina’s €8‑9m loan gamble for Juventus right‑back Joao Mario

Fiorentina have lodged a formal bid to Juventus for right‑back Joao Mario, proposing a season‑long loan with an option to buy for €8‑9 million, with Saturday’s reports confirming the move. The Italian club aims to secure the Portuguese defender ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign.

The proposal outlines a one‑year loan that includes a purchase clause in the €8‑9 million range. Fiorentina submitted the bid officially, signalling their intent to bring Mario to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for the upcoming season.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the offer arrives as Luciano Spalletti does not see Mario featuring in his plans for 2026‑27. The Italian side therefore views the Portuguese defender as a valuable addition to bolster their defensive options.

Mario arrived at Juventus from Porto for €12.6 million last summer but managed only ten Serie A appearances before a loan spell at Bologna, which also involved Emil Holm moving the opposite way. Neither Juve nor Bologna made the loan permanent, and Mario returned to Turin for pre‑season. In a pre‑season friendly in Dortmund, Joao Mari celebrated a goal with teammate Andrea Cambiaso.

The deal could become Fiorentina’s sixth signing of the summer window, following acquisitions of Radu Dragusin, Viery, Alex Jimenez, Christ Inao Oulai and Arthur Atta. The club believes his experience in Serie A can enhance their back line.

Reports suggest the transaction could move quickly and be finalised within the coming week, indicating both clubs are prepared to act promptly.

For Juventus, the move would allow the club to offload a player deemed surplus, potentially recouping a portion of the original €12.6 million outlay and freeing a squad place.

Fiorentina would add depth at right‑back, giving the manager flexibility to rotate and compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming season.