Reported Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur target Nikola Milenkovic “never said he wanted to leave” Serie A outfit Fiorentina, sporting director Daniele Prade has told DAZN, translated by Labaro Viola.
You can see why Fiorentina supporters may have feared the worst.
During the past few months, barely a day has gone by without Milenkovic being linked to one club or another, with La Viola seemingly destined to lose a star centre-back who will be a free agent in summer 2022.
And when the Serbia international conducted an emotional interview with the Fiorentina website last week, some read this as confirmation of his impending departure.
According to Prade, however, this was no goodbye and Fiorentina fans can save their tears for another day.
“The interview was misinterpreted. Milenkovic never said he wanted to leave and he told us that also, despite having one year on his contract,” Prade says.
“Nikola is a professional. He was keen to thank Florence for the growth he has had both as a man and as a footballer in this city.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean Milenkovic is destined to stay at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Prade admitted in 2020 that, if the £25 million-rated, 6ft 4in centre-back didn’t sign a contract extension, he would be sold long before he became a free agent.
Calciomercato reports Everton are interested in the giant 25-year-old, while Tottenham and Liverpool have also held talks with his agent.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
