Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has revealed why Hellas Verona's Sofyan Amrabat chose the Artemio Franchi as his next destination.
Amrabat seemed like he would move from Verona to Napoli this summer, but after three intense days, Fiorentina signed the Morocco international, who only arrived in Serie A last summer.
Prade said it all started from a conversation after the match between Fiorentina and Verona, leading to a €20m deal taking place after the current season.
Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has revealed why Hellas Verona's Sofyan Amrabat chose the Artemio Franchi as his next destination.
Amrabat seemed like he would move from Verona to Napoli this summer, but after three intense days, Fiorentina signed the Morocco international, who only arrived in Serie A last summer.
Prade said it all started from a conversation after the match between Fiorentina and Verona, leading to a €20m deal taking place after the current season.
“It all started after the match against Verona. A group of players gathered and talked,” Prade said at at press conference. “I told them that we would become a great team.
“Amrabat told me that he had been to Florence and that he loved it. At that moment, we didn’t think we could get involved, because there were another team.”
“Then, when he said he wasn’t going, we went all the way. It was a complex operation, because it took three nights.
“I have to congratulate [Director] Joe [Barone] and [President Rocco] Commisso, because they wanted him so much. The player chose us, despite the offer from Naples being higher.”
Prade also revealed that there wouldn’t be a release-clause in his contract with the Viola.
“Fiorentina don’t put clauses, even though many have asked for it.”
Amrabat will have to finish the season at the Bentegodi, as he has already played for two teams this campaign and can’t be registered for a new side until the next season.
The 23-year-old played a match for Club Brugge before he signed with Verona last summer and has played 20 Serie A games with the Gialloblu so far this campaign.