Baggio 'seller' would offload Jovetic

Former Fiorentina patron Ranieri Pontello thinks that the club should learn from the Roberto Baggio sale and cash in on Stevan Jovetic.
The Pontello family were in charge of the Tuscan outfit in 1990 when they opted to sell Baggio to arch rivals Juventus for a world record £8m fee.
Now, almost 25 years later, Pontello has told Tuttosport that Juve-target Jovetic should also be sacrificed.
“There is a similarity between the two situations,” he stated. “We are talking about great players and two important clubs such as Fiorentina and Juventus.
“However, between Baggio and Jovetic, there is a difference. The Baggio of that time was superior to the present Jovetic.
“But I would be in favour of a sale if a notable offer is put on the table. After all, the Della Valle family are looking for balance between results and their accounts.
“With the money they can get from Jovetic, the Viola could move really well on the market. The club have shown recently that they are excellent at investing.”
Baggio’s sale to the Turin giants led to protests in the streets of Florence.
“There would be no revolt for Jovetic,” he added. “Times have changed. There are few flag-bearers in the game now.”
Juventus and Fiorentina will face each other in Serie A this weekend.

Viola: Jovetic 'not for sale'

Stevan Jovetic will not be leaving Fiorentina, according to chairman Mario Cognigni.

Juventus have been strongly linked with a move for the Montenegro international, and the Italian media reported that the Florence club rejected an offer of €13million (£11.2m) plus Alessandro Matri and Michele Pazienza.
Cognigni has now insisted that 23-year-old Jovetic, who has nine goals in 18 Serie A matches this season, is not for sale at any price.
"It's not possible that there will be any negotiations with Juventus for Stevan," Cognigni told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"In fact, it's not possible to deal with them or anyone else: Jovetic is not for sale.
"He is happy at Fiorentina and has a contract with us for another three years."

Fiorentina vs Parma, Final Score 2-0: Crociati crushed by on-form Viola

Fiorentina have ended their long spell without a win by seeing off Parma at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. After a frantic first half, Parma had no response in the second, as the Viola cruised to a comfortable victory

Vincenzo Montella's side go a provisional fifth with their first win in over a month, while Parma stay tenth ahead of tonight's game between AC Milan and Udinese.
Fiorentina could have taken the lead early on, as Juan Cuadrado's cushioned header fell for Luca Toni in the area after just five minutes, though veteran Parma defender Alessandro Lucarelli dived at the feet of the striker, preventing him getting a clean shot on goal from point-blank range.
The viola played at a rapid intensity in the opening moments, leading to some chaotic and disorganised scenes in the Parma defence. Had it not been for Alessandro Lucarelli and Gabriel Paletta's last-ditch defending, the visitors would have been down.
Fiorentina's Emiliano Viviano was the first goalkeeper of the two to be properly tested, when Lucarelli got up to meet a Jaime Valdés free-kick from the left. The captain's header was comfortably swept up by the Tuscan, minutes before his side had the ball into the net for the first time.
Battling midfielder Giulio Migliaccio headed the ball into the back of the net, though unfortunately for the home crowd, he headed Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante along with it. With Mirante sprawled on the turf, the goal was discounted and the match went on.
It was the visitors' turn to have the next attack, coming through a counter by Jonathan Biabiany down the right. He crossed the ball in, with Ishak Belfodil flicking it towards goal at the near post, though Viviano -- who thus far hasn't had a successful Fiorentina career -- made a great stop.
Valdés and Sansone both went close for Parma, but just when it seemed they had weathered the viola storm, they conceded. A Cuadrado cross found a leaping Luca Toni, climbing above Gabriel Paletta to sneak a header just beyond Mirante for the opener, just under half-an-hour in.
Cuadrado was causing all kinds of problems, and his drilled cross just seconds later almost led to a second. Biabiany was offering Parma their best counter-attacking threat, and his mazy run down the right found Sansone in the box. The young winger curled it towards goal, but it was well kept out by the on-form Viviano.
Parma's designs on continuing the momentum built up towards the end of the first half at the start of the second were quickly expunged by an early goal from Stevan Jovetić. Manuel Pasqual's cross found Migliaccio, whose header was bounced on by the Montenegrin striker, stabbing the ball in for 2-0.
It should have been three moments later, when Cuadrado's run ended in him dragging a shot narrowly wide, before the game gradually wound down into a midfield battle, with no invention and chances created. Both coaches turned the match into a catwalk show in which to parade their new signings, as Andrea Coda and McDonald Mariga appeared for Parma, and Marcelo Larrondo for for Fiorentina.
Cuadrado's work wasn't done yet, as he lashed the ball towards the top corner inside the final ten minutes. Fortunately, Mirante hadn't dozed off, diving to make an impressive save. He did so again in stoppage time, when Mounir El Hamdaoui struck the ball towards the near post from close range, as the game ended 2-0.
Fiorentina (3-5-2): Emiliano Viviano; Stefan Savić, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Facundo Roncaglia; Manuel Pasqual, Borja Valero (Cristian Llama 87), Giulio Migliaccio, David Pizzaro, Juan Cuadrado; Luca Toni (Marcelo Larrondo 79), Stevan Jovetić (Mounir El Hamdaoui 71)
(Parma (4-3-3): Antonio Mirante; Massimo Gobbi, Alessandro Lucarelli, Gabriel Paletta, Aleandro Rosi (Andrea Coda 57); Marco Parolo, Jaime Valdés (McDonald Mariga 66); Nicola Sansone, Ishak Belfodil (Amauri 57), Jonathan Biabiany
Goals: Toni 27 (F) Jovetić 50 (F)

Fiorentina in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Sissoko loan

The midfielder could be on his way back to Serie A this winter, with the Artemio Franchi side keen to sign him on a temporary basis

Fiorentina have confirmed on their official website that they have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain over the loan signing of Mohamed Sissoko until the end of the season, with the option of a permanent deal.

The Viola are desperate to further strengthen their squad in the January transfer window as they aim to qualify for next year's edition of the Champions League, and they see Sissoko as a valuable addition to their midfield.

The 28-year-old joined PSG from Juventus in the summer of 2011, and he has since made over 30 official appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, the holding midfielder has struggled to secure regular first team action this term, and is therefore keen to move on this winter.

Fiorentina have made it clear that talks with les Parisiens will continue later on Wednesday, and expect to reach an agreement shortly.

Fiorentina defender secures loan to Genoa

Full-back Mattia Cassani has officially signed with Genoa on loan from Fiorentina, with the Grifone having the option to purchase at the end of the current campaign.
The Italian international had been the subject of interest of a number of clubs in the January transfer window, including Palermo, Roma, and Inter.
The Marassi outfit released a statement Wednesday confirming the acquisition.
“Genoa Cfc announce that a deal has been concluded with Acf Fiorentina for the temporary acquisition, with option to make the move permanent, of defender Mattia Cassani.”
The former Palermo man had struggled for playing time in Vincenzo Montella’s 3-5-2 system, appearing just eight times, four of them starts, in Serie A this season.

Stoke move to beat Fiorentina for Bolton fullback Alonso

Stoke City have made an offer for Bolton Wanderers fullback Marcos Alonso.
The Daily Mail says Stoke are making a bid to sign Bolton left-back Alonso in a £500,000 deal.
Alonso is close to sealing a pre-contract move to Italian giants Fiorentina that will see him head to Italy in June.
But Tony Pulis is in desperate need of a left-back and is hoping to persuade Alonso to stay in England instead.
Fiorentina are willing to pay £200,000 to land the Spaniard, 22, before the transfer window closes.

Fiorentina silent over Alonso link

FIORENTINA have given no indication that they will make a second bid for defender Marcos Alonso before tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
The Serie A club had a verbal bid turned down for Alonso last week but have not followed up their interest.
The Spanish full-back has rejected the offer of a new contract at the Reebok and a transfer fee would be set by tribunal if he moved on in the summer – although part of that fee would also be passed on to Real Madrid.
Alonso produced a man-of-the-match performance against Everton at the weekend, and Dougie Freedman does not expect him, Stuart Holden or Kevin Davies, who also find themselves coming to the end of their current deals, to allow their situation to affect their performances on the pitch.
“They signed the contract, they know the deal,” he said.
“Is it unsettling? I wouldn’t say that. When you are working in this fabulous job I don’t think any situation should be unsettling.”
Speculation over Alonso, Holden and Davies has increased over the last week after Freedman said that renewing contracts was not a matter of priority at present.
“We are not at 17th in the league, concentrating on individuals, I think we should be concentrating on what the club should be doing,” he added.
“As a club we are trying to go forward.”
It is understood that the club have not ruled out offering Davies and Holden new deals, although any offer would be in keeping with the current financial situation at the club.
In Holden’s case in particular, Freedman is keen for the American to concentrate only on making a full recovery from his long-term injury issues.
“I can't be too emotional because everyone is so emotional towards him,” he said. “He's a great fella and I wish him all the luck in the world.
“Yes he is out of contract in the summer but that’s the least of his concerns.
“He has gone through a career-threatening major knee operation so that’s far from his thinking, his contract situation. Just getting back playing football is a delight for him.
“I don’t think he needs that sort of pressure from me to sign, or not to sign, a contract. I think he needs all the support he can get to play football. Let’s strip it all down and remember the days when he used to play in the streets. That’s what he needs to remember.”