Fiorentina director Daniele Pradè insists Federico Chiesa ‘never intended’ to stay and selling him to Juventus was ‘like taking a weight off our shoulders.’
The bitter comments came after the deadline day transfer, which was a two-year loan for €10m plus obligation to buy for a further €40m and €10m in bonuses in 2022.
Fiorentina director Daniele Pradè insists Federico Chiesa ‘never intended’ to stay and selling him to Juventus was ‘like taking a weight off our shoulders.’
The bitter comments came after the deadline day transfer, which was a two-year loan for €10m plus obligation to buy for a further €40m and €10m in bonuses in 2022.
“You cannot continue a relationship when the love is unrequited,” said Pradè in today’s press conference.
“That’s just the way it is. However, both in economic and sporting terms, this was a very good operation for us, as €60m is a lot in the current market.
“It was a long negotiation process, as he had to extend his contract first and it was done at the same conditions as before, so €1.8m per season, there were issues around the payment format, etc.”
Viola President Rocco Commisso was not pleased with the way Chiesa pushed for the exit.
“Commisso gave him so much love and would gladly have kept him with us, but it really was not going to be possible. According to Chiesa’s father (former Fiorentina striker Enrico), we were never taken into consideration, simply a vehicle to step on to another stage.
“We tried to the end to offer him a new contract to stay with us, but in his mind, there was never even a five per cent chance of that happening.
“It was already the situation when we got here and we tried last year to use an iron fist to keep him, but the time came where he had to think of what was best for us. Selling Chiesa was like taking a weight off our shoulders.
“It’s a pity, I think Commisso and his family were upset, as they expected more gratitude.”
Pradè also commented on the controversy that came from Chiesa wearing the captain’s armband in his final game, a decision that infuriated the ultras.
“It was a mistake. We accept that.”