Fiorentina sign Aquilani from Liverpool

Fiorentina signed Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool on Friday with media reports putting the fee at seven million euros (5.45 million pounds).



"Fiorentina announces the acquisition of Borja Valero Iglesias and Gonzalo Javier Rodriguez from Villareal Club and Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool Football Club," the club said on their official website.



Italian media suggested that Liverpool will pay part of Aquilani's salary, which has been put at as much as 1.7 million euros a season.



Aquilani has had a troubled time since signing for Liverpool from AS Roma in 2009, failing to establish himself as a dominant midfield presence in a team that struggled for form.



He has been sent back twice to Italy on loan over the last two years, first to Juventus in 2010 and then to AC Milan at the start of last season.



Despite good performances for both teams, in particular during his time at Juventus, neither club took up the offer to buy him and he returns to Serie A as a member of Vincenzo's Montella's new-look Fiorentina.



The former Roma striker excited Serie A as Catania boss last season and is hoping that Aquilani can help the Tuscan outfit improve on last season where they narrowly avoided relegation.

read more...

Agent rules out Aquilani move

Alberto Aquilani’s agent has dismissed reports of a move to Fiorentina as “impossible. He will remain at Liverpool.”



Both the Italian and English media suggested over the weekend that the Viola were making a bid for the €9m-rated midfielder, which could include a swap with Juan Manuel Vargas.



“Let us not open up a soap opera, please,” agent Franco Zavaglia told Radio Sportiva.



“Aquilani is a Liverpool player and he is happy where he is now. We have not received any requests from Daniele Prade, but that was only to be expected, seeing as Aquilani will only leave on a permanent move and at figures Fiorentina cannot afford.



“I would rule out a current return to Italy. At the moment Alberto is relaxed and on Tuesday he’ll attend pre-season training with Liverpool, as planned.”



Aquilani spent the last two seasons on loan at Juventus and Milan, but neither club took up its option on the player.

read more...