Fiorentina ward off Jovetic interest

Fiorentina have issued a hands-off warning following continued rumours about the future of Stevan Jovetic.

Serie A champions Juventus and English Premier League club Arsenal have both been linked with a move for the impressive 23-year-old.

Fiorentina’s sporting director Daniele Prade has acknowledged the Montenegrin forward is in high demand but has talked down the possibility he will be sold.

“We have been clear about Jovetic. He is not on the market,” he said to Lega-Calcio.

“There is a word given to the boy by the president: at the end of the season they would talk together, but those are the conditions, otherwise we keep him happy.

“There has been no bid (from Juventus), only a meeting between the president and the agent Cognigni Ramadani. Jovetic did not say he would move. It is a discussion between him and the president.”

Prade also discussed possible recruits – Mario Gomez, Burak Yilmaz and Alvaro Negredo have all linked with a move to Fiorentina.

Regarding the rumours linking Malaga veteran Joaquin Sanchez with the Stadio Artemio Franchi, he said: “It’s an open discourse with Malaga. We will discuss and see if the conditions are correct.”

Viola have also been linked to Palermo midfielder Josip Ilicic, but Prade insists there is no truth in the speculation.

“We have not started talking about Ilicic. He is strong, but we never had anything to do with him.”

Prade concluded by announcing that the club are set to discuss a new deal with Adem Ljajic, while adding they would wait until David Pizarro has completed his international duties before talking about his future.