Fiorentina are said to be ready to turn to Napoli striker Leonardo Pavoletti in the event that Nikola Kalinic leaves this summer.

After turning down a bumper move to China in January, the Croatian declared his loyalty to the Viola, but is also said to have a strong bond with Coach Paulo Sousa.

With Vice President Giancarlo Antognoni already having confirmed that the Portuguese boss will leave in the summer, this leaves a question mark over the future of the striker.

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Khouma Babacar reveals that he was wanted by Inter, but chose to remain in Florence as he 'wants to win a trophy for the fans'.

The Senegalese hitman will start up front for the Viola on Saturday evening when Inter are the visitors as Nikola Kalinic is suspended.

Babacar has a history of scoring against the Nerazzurri, after a wonderful strike in a 3-0 victory back in October 2014 then dramatically securing three points with a 90th minute tap-in in last season's fixture.

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Fiorentina director Giancarlo Antognoni confirmed Paulo Sousa will not be their Coach next season. “He started well, but didn’t end the way we expected.”

The option to extend his contract expired, as neither party seemed particularly inclined towards activating it.

Antognoni spoke to Italia 7 television tonight and was asked how Sousa’s departure would be broached.

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It’s reported Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina renewal clause has expired, making it all-but certain he’ll leave at the end of the season.

There was an option in the Portuguese Coach’s contract which would have triggered another year on his contract.

However, Sky is now reporting that the deadline has passed for the renewal, making it practically certain that Sousa will not be on the Viola bench next season.

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Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa will reportedly be in the stands tonight as Borussia Dortmund travel to Monaco.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Portuguese Coach will be watching the Bundesliga side in the Champions League, after rumours he could replace Thomas Tuchel have surfaced in recent months.

Out of contract with the Viola in the summer, Sousa is not expected to be offered a renewal and will be looking for a new club at the end of the current campaign.

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Cagliari Coach Massimo Rastelli has emerged as the latest candidate to replace Paulo Sousa on the Fiorentina bench.

The Viola have been linked with numerous tacticians, above all Sassuolo boss Eusebio Di Francesco.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Rastelli is being considered by director of sport Pantaleo Corvino.

Rastelli took on the Cagliari job in June 2015 and took them to promotion from Serie B, then secured comfortable top-flight safety.

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Paulo Sousa complained that the officials were “rude and turned their backs” on Fiorentina after a controversial 2-1 defeat to Empoli.

The game was decided by a stoppage-time penalty converted by former Viola captain Manuel Pasqual, one of several dubious refereeing decisions.

“I think everyone can make mistakes, but you have to admit to them, not just turn your back on them the way the officials did today,” Sousa told Mediaset Premium.

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Fiorentina Coach Paulo Sousa says he’s advised Federico Bernardeschi “but not publicly”.

The winger has been linked with the likes of Juventus and Inter this summer, but the Viola are keen to tie him to a new contract.

“When I can I’ve given you my explanations,” Sousa said in his pre-Empoli Press conference.

“I’ve given him my advice, but not publicly.”

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Paulo Sousa insists “Europe was never the objective” for Fiorentina after their 2-2 draw away to Sampdoria.

The Viola saw a run of three consecutive 1-0 victories come to an end in this morning’s Marassi thriller.

“We are satisfied with the performance for these lads who always give something more, but certainly not for the result,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.

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