The club’s midfield remains an area under consideration after Fabio Grosso’s previous requests for a central midfielder went unanswered. The exact profile has not yet been identified, but the requirement is for an experienced player capable of providing the qualities associated with Matic.
Hojbjerg is one of the candidates, although the 31-year-old Marseille midfielder is regarded as a complicated target. The Denmark international is also attracting interest from Juventus, making any potential deal more difficult for Fiorentina.
Thorstvedt is another option being assessed. The Sassuolo midfielder was previously wanted by Grosso and remains on the club’s radar, but Sassuolo are continuing to demand a significant fee despite his contract situation.
Fiorentina’s search is therefore not simply about adding another body to the squad. The club wants a midfielder who can bring experience, physical presence and greater control to the centre of the pitch, with the Matic comparison offering a clear indication of the type being sought.
The January window gives the club more time to assess the market, but neither of the two leading names currently represents an easy deal. Hojbjerg has competition from Juventus, while Sassuolo’s stance is making Thorstvedt difficult to pursue despite his contract situation.
According to Corriere Fiorentino, Fiorentina will continue evaluating their options before deciding which route to take. The midfield remains one of the areas expected to receive attention when the winter market opens.
The club’s recruitment team will now have to balance the need for immediate midfield experience against the difficulty and cost attached to the leading candidates.