Daniele Prade says he 'never expected' Mohamed Salah to turn from Fiorentina, while renouncing to Milan's Philippe Mexes: 'He's not a regret'.

Salah was at the centre of a storm of controversy as la Viola attempted to renew his loan from Chelsea, but the move was vetoed by the player himself.

Fiorentina deemed the move illegal and FIFA's decision on the subject is still pending.

“We could have reclaimed Salah only in January, not in the summer's transfer window,” the sporting director said.

Daniele Prade says he 'never expected' Mohamed Salah to turn from Fiorentina, while renouncing to Milan's Philippe Mexes: 'He's not a regret'.

Salah was at the centre of a storm of controversy as la Viola attempted to renew his loan from Chelsea, but the move was vetoed by the player himself.

Fiorentina deemed the move illegal and FIFA's decision on the subject is still pending.

“We could have reclaimed Salah only in January, not in the summer's transfer window,” the sporting director said.

“Nobody could have imagined what the player had in mind during his six months in Florence.

“FIFA themselves gave Salah only a provisional transfer from here until December, and they'll make a ruling then.

“I never thought Salah's mind could have turned that way. I was wrong in saying that I was certain he'd stay with us in January.

“You never stop learning in this job, I never expected what happened.

“There was an abrupt turn in the player's mind. He was the one who wanted to sign the private agreement.

“For our own part the Salah case is completely behind us.”

Prade then went on to discuss Mexes and the question of Fiorentina's lack of alternatives in defence.

“It's a decision that we took together with the Coach.

“For the defence we had four objectives. Mexes was practically a done deal, but things changed suddenly in the last few days of the market.

“We'd agreed everything with the player, he even found a school for his children.

“We were also after Manchester City's [Jason] Denayer, but he chose to play the Champions League.

“There were another two objectives, but I won't say them as they could still be a possibility for us.

“In January we know we'll have to sign another two players, including one defender. We also have an option on a central midfielder.

“Mexes is not a regret, though he's a player who would certainly have been useful.

“But he's not the defender who will be joining us in January.”

Byandrea

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