With the team in the midst of the title race as the Serie A season approaches the Christmas and New Year's break, Fiorentina is clearly looking to bolster their squad during the January transfer window since they will need depth on both sides of the ball if they want to make a title run late in the season. Due to this, the management has already identified two possible transfer targets in Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato and Albanian defensive midfielder Taulant Xhaka.
Pato's return a possibility to add more offense
The former AC Milan starlet had a number of injuries and a dip in form that forced him out of the Serie A but since he returned to Brazil he has impressed both with Corinthians and most recently with Sao Paulo where he's been on a season-long loan.
Pato's age - he's only 26 - and experience at the top leagues could be quite an asset as he hasn't reached his full potential yet and he should be a welcomed addition to a Fiorentina team that could always add more versatility in the final meters.
Signing Pato, however, won't be easy as there are plenty of teams interested in him. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have all enquired for the former Brazil international and he's expected to be one of the top targets when the January transfer window kicks in according to many outlets including La Repubblica.
Pato continues to show his versatility with the Tricolor, featuring as a left winger, centre midfielder, and primarily as centre forward where he’s made five assists and scored 10 goals in 33 appearances.
Xhaka would offer depth in the defensive end
Xhaka, on the other hand, is a more defensive-minded player and while he might not become a starter right away he could certainly add depth to the team's defensive line as he can play as a defensive midfielder, centre back and even as a right-back.
Xhaka has been a regular for FC Basel this season - featuring in 15 of 18 league games this season - and while he's considered a key player at St. Jakob's Park, it is believed that both the club and the player would welcome the move to a bigger team.
Early reports from Gazetta dello sport have Xhaka valued in around $4 million and he was a target for Fiorentina during the past summer but the team opted to sign Davide Astori from Cagliari instead.