Despite constant rumours of approaches from Manchester United and Barcelona, nobody bid for Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado in the summer window.
If ever we needed a reminder of how much of transfer speculation is unsubstantiated, the case of Juan Cuadrado is a case in point.
The Colombian international impressed at Fiorentina last season and an excellent World Cup campaign led to the rumour mill going into overdrive.
Manchester United were repeatedly linked with Cuadrado with other sides coming and going before Barcelona emerged as reported challengers for his signature.
For much of June and July, the European press presented hypotheses and reports of bids from both parties that had been rejected.
But Cuadrado remained in Tuscany and Fiorentina director Mario Cognigni has revealed that no club ever tabled a bid for the winger.
“We believe that he is a star who can do a lot to help Fiorentina reach our objectives.
“We wanted to keep him here and anyway no official bids ever arrived for him.”
It may be that Fiorentina’s reported £32 million valuation put off potential suitors or that clubs feared being dragged into a bidding war, but the frenzy of transfer rumours in the summer seem to have been unfounded.
Cuadrado may be hot property this time next year if he can inspire Fiorentina in the way he did last season.
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