Fiorentina are reportedly in advanced talks to sign Florian Grillitsch as a free agent from TSG Hoffenheim on a four-year contract.
The midfielder turns 27 in August and is an Austria international with 33 senior caps under his belt, scoring one goal.
Inter, Roma and Napoli had also been linked with Grillitsch earlier in the summer, but now Sportitalia, Sky Sport Italia and German newspaper Bild claim that Fiorentina are in the thick of the race.
They see him as a suitable replacement for Lucas Torreira, who returns to Arsenal from that loan spell.
Grillitsch can also play in a central defensive role, but has struggled this season with two different bouts of COVID-19 and a muscular injury, meaning he was only able to make 18 Bundesliga appearances for his club.
Fiorentina face competition from Premier League sides Leeds United and West Ham United.
The Viola have qualified for the Europa Conference League play-offs in the 2022-23 campaign.
Exc Anche la #Fiorentina apre i contatti con il centrocampista Florian #Grillitsch š¦š¹ in scadenza di contratto con lā#Hoffenheim @tvdellosport
ā Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) June 7, 2022