Fiorentina director Pantaleo Corvino has denied claims he is ready to sell Alberto Gilardino to Olympique Lyonnais this summer.
Reports in the Italian media suggested the Viola were considering cashing in the Italian hitman, who has struck an impressive 16 goals during his first season in Florence. Voices surrounding the French club implied that they were ready to make a bid for Gilardino.
However, Fiorentina are unlikely to sell up as Corvino has stepped in to quash the reports, insisting his man is not heading to France.
"There is nothing to talk about," Corvino told Sky Sport Italia. "Gilardino was a signing that we got right and there is no reason to think about anything else."
Gilardino's goals have helped fire his side closer towards the Champions League places for next term. Fiorentina are just two points behind fourth place Genoa as they prepare to take on Roma this weekend.
吉拉警告罗马:Viola将为胜利而战
上周末Viola表现令人失望,在弗流里体育场以1:3告负。不过,Viola射手吉拉坚信球队必定会在对罗马的比赛中反弹。
“我们想要做出反应,来忘记对乌迪内的比赛并且得到想要的结果”前帕尔马杀手吉拉告诉Corriere dello Sport。
“本赛季剩下的6场比赛都很重要,每场都是潜在的3分,然而对罗马的比赛尤为关键。一场胜利将使我们拉开同罗马的距离,并且在欧冠席位争夺中保留到最后一天。”
尽管罗马人有许多有才华的球员,这位26岁的球员自信球队可以拿下罗马。
“我们将为胜利而战,即便我们面对的是一支伟大的球队。他们曾经打出过一些近年来意大利最好的比赛。”吉拉继续道。
“托蒂?他对罗马而言非常重要。然而,罗马不止有他一个,他们有许多具备相当能力的球员。”
最后,吉拉对最近有关他将转会法甲里昂的传言做出回应。“那是个美丽的国度”这位世界冠军成员承认,“不过我更愿意留在Viola和佛罗伦萨这座城市。”
Fiorentina put in a disappointing performance last weekend, losing 3-1 at the Stadio Friuli. However, Viola striker Alberto Gilardino insists his team will bounce back against Roma out of necessity.
"We want to respond. To forget the match against Udinese and get a result," the ex-Parma hitman told the Corriere dello Sport
"The six matches remaining in the season are all important, each is a possible three points, but against the Giallorossi they are essential. A victory would allow us to put distance between us and Roma and be in contention for the Champions League until the last day."
The 26-year-old is confident his side can indeed take on Roma, despite their many talented stars.
"We will play to win, even though we are facing a great team. One that has played some of the best football in Italy in recent years," he continued.
"[Francesco] Totti? He is very important for Roma. However, there is not just him, they have many players of great quality."
Finally, he commented on the recent rumours linking him with a move to Ligue 1 to play for Olympique Lyon. "It's a beautiful country," admitted the World Cup winner, "but I prefer the Viola and Florence."