Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso has launched a scathing attack on Dusan Vlahovic and his representatives, accusing them of being “liars” and branding the deal to take the striker to Juventus as “dishonest”. The owner of the Italian outfit lashed out after watching his prized asset join their Serie A rivals earlier this month.
Juventus paid a fee of around €75million (£63m) to bring the 21-year-old to the Allianz Stadium after scoring 17 goals in Serie A this season.
Arsenal were interested in signing the Serbia international as Mikel Arteta sought a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Barcelona on deadline day.
The Gunners pursued a deal with Fiorentina, having submitted an official bid to the club, but Vlahovic had his sights set on a move to Turin.
The in-demand target man had already revealed he would not be renewing his contract with the Viola, which was due to expire in 2023, leaving the club with little option other than cashing in while they still could.
But the way the transfer saga played out has left Commisso, 72, fuming at the striker’s behaviour after confirming the club received an offer from a Premier League side — and accused the player and his agents of simply trying to earn a lucrative payday.
JUST IN: Arsenal sign MLS defender Trusty from Stan Kroenke’s Colorado
“Choosing Juve was easy,” he said after being unveiled by his new club.
“In Juve’s DNA there is the desire to win, to never give up and fight until the end, even when there is suffering. This is also my mentality and therefore the choice was easy.
“My goal is to settle into the coach’s plans as soon as possible, then get to know and create a friendship, I would say a familiar relationship, with all my teammates and all the people who work for Juve. I think this is a key aspect.”
It is not the first time Commisso has taken a swipe at Vlahovic, having publicly criticised the Bianconeri forward for turning down a long-term contract offer.
During an interview with The Financial Times back in September, the outspoken Fiorentina supremo revealed he had offered a contract to make Vlahovic the club’s highest-paid player in their history.
The deal was understood to be worth €40m (£34.5m) across a five-year contract, effectively tripling his wages at the club.
According to the report, Commisso’s annoyance also stemmed from the fact that Vlahovic’s agents, International Sports Office, had demanded a sizeable commission fee to push through the renewal.
“I speak to Dusan and he says he’s only focusing on the pitch and I should talk to his agents,”he added.
“Then I talk to his agents and they say I have to speak to the player. His agent should come to Florence, he is the one doing the negotiations.
“What I will say is that this would be the highest salary ever given to a Fiorentina player, including Gabriel Batistuta and Manuel Rui Costa.”
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Football News Click Here
