Australia international Cristian Volpato has indicated he would welcome a move to Fiorentina this summer following his maiden World Cup campaign. The 22-year-old midfielder, who currently represents Sassuolo, acknowledged the Viola as a “great club” but stressed he remains under contract with the Emilian side.
Volpato’s profile rose during the tournament in North America, where he featured for the Socceroos before their elimination in the Round of 32. Australia fell to Egypt on penalties after dominating the contest, bringing a premature end to Volpato’s first senior international tournament.
World Cup pride
Speaking after the defeat, Volpato expressed disappointment at the early exit but pride in representing his country of birth. “I felt we dominated the game and we’re disappointed because we gave our all,” he told Diretta.it and the Gazzetta dello Sport. “I am proud of my teammates, the staff and the whole country that woke up at 4am to watch us. We wanted to make them proud and we came really close, but at the end of the day, the details made the difference.”
Born in Australia to Italian heritage, Volpato moved to Italy in January 2020 to join Roma’s youth academy. He progressed through the Italian national youth system before making the significant decision to switch allegiance to the country of his birth ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He reflected on the choice as personally challenging but correct. “It was my first World Cup and I am happy, proud of myself and my family. It was not an easy choice for me, but I felt within me that it was the right one,” he said.
Fiorentina appeal
The midfielder’s performances have reportedly attracted concrete interest from Fiorentina, where he would reunite with manager Fabio Grosso. The Italian coach previously worked with Volpato during a two-year tenure in charge of Sassuolo, overseeing the player’s transition from prospect to first-team regular.
Volpato spoke warmly of the potential destination, citing the club’s training facilities and his existing relationship with the coaching staff. “Fiorentina are a great club. They had a bit of a difficult year, but they’ve got the players, the Viola Park is a top level structure, and I also know the coach well,” he said. “There might be many reasons to choose them, but right now I am a Sassuolo player.”
Transfer obstacles
Securing Volpato’s signature would prove complex for any suitor. His Sassuolo deal runs until June 2028, and the club would owe former side Roma 15 per cent of any future sale fee following his €7.5 million transfer from the capital in the summer of 2023.
Last season, the attacking midfielder managed two goals and four assists across 24 Serie A outings for the Neroverdi. With his value likely inflated by his World Cup exposure, Sassuolo hold a strong negotiating position should formal bids arrive.
Volpato confirmed he intends to step back from negotiations initially. “I will go on vacation now and unplug for a bit, then my agents will take care of it, and I trust them,” he said. His future therefore remains unresolved, though his public openness to the Viola represents a significant development in the summer transfer market.