Michael Kayode’s wages are expected to rise thirty-fold as the Serie A starlet on the radar of Premier League giants Arsenal closes in on a new contract at Fiorentina.
A fortnight ago, Michael Kayode’s former coach at lower league Gozzano urged the 19-year-old to put those Arsenal rumours to one side and focus only on continuing his recent – and rather rapid – emergence at the Estadio Artemio Franchi (Calciomercato).
Fortunately for Fiorentina, the teenage full-back appears keen to take Carlo Caramelli’s advice.
Arsenal suffer Michael Kayode blow
Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday night that Kayode will sign a new, long-term deal. One that could keep him in Florence until 2028. Tuttomercatoweb, meanwhile, have tasty morsel of information. One which serves only to highlight just how quickly Kayode has blossomed from a little-known reserve to first-team star.
The Italy U21 international currently earns about 30,000 euros a year. Not a week. A year. His wage, then, will rise thirty-fold, increasing from £500-a-week to around £20,000-a-week. A fitting reward for a player who, just last week, silenced the reigning Serie A Player of the Year Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as Fiorentina stormed to a famous 3-1 win at the home of champions Napoli.
Napoli and Kvaratskhelia defeated
‘An extraordinary performance’ was the verdict of Fiorentina chief Daniele Prade.
“This one is really strong,” Pino Vitale, an experienced Italian agent, tells Radio Firenze Viola.
“Incredible. He forced Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to chase him.
“It was the best match ever since (Vincenzo) Italiano took over Fiorentina. They didn’t let Napoli play and ate them up. (Full-backs Fabiano) Parisi and Kayode are strong and played an excellent game.
“Kvaratskhelia had to change wings due to the way Kayode controlled him! There is no need to worry about him. He is only 19 years old, but he is a ‘player’.”
Should Kayode maintain his current rate of progress, Arsenal will not be the only club sending scouts to Florence over the coming months.
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