"We will have a completely different market" - Joe Barone

Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone. Photo: Getty

Fiorentina CEO Joe Barone expects a different transfer market, full of loan and swap deals: “The smaller clubs will experience moments of difficulty.”


The Viola director spoke to Sportbusiness.com about the upcoming transfer market in Italy and a proposed salary cap, like in America.

“The introduction of a salary cap has been present in America for some time and our President [Rocco Commisso] has been talking about it,” Barone said.

“To see it in Europe too, FIFA must make a decision. It must be the same rules for all and not different for each League.”

He fears that the smaller clubs will be affected greatly due to the pandemic, that may lead to a decrease in value of their star players.

Frank Ribery (left) with CEO of ACF Fiorentina Joe Barone at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, home ground of the club. Frank Ribery is a French professional footballer, who plays as a winger for the Italian Serie A club Fiorentina. Photo: Getty

“Because of this crisis, we will have a completely different market. There will certainly be more loans and many exchanges of players.

“We will have to be careful because the players value might go down in this period. The smaller clubs will experience moments of great difficulty in this period and we must help the system, not exploit it.”
Football-Italia