Commisso: 'Chiesa stays, wait for Montella'

By Football Italia staff

New Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso admits he tried to buy the club three years ago, but is keeping Federico Chiesa and waiting to speak with Vincenzo Montella.

The Italian-American purchased the Viola from the Della Valle brothers for approximately €170m.

“I was moved at the Stadio Franchi, yes,” Commisso told Sky Sport Italia after he was greeted by around 8,000 fans in the arena.

“I tried in 2016, 2017, every time it was no. I tried with Milan, then we met up again at the end of 2018 and emissaries of the Della Valle family intervened last month and we sealed the deal in three weeks.

“I want to thank the Della Valle family for all they’ve done over the last 17 years, as the club’s position is healthy. They decided it was best for them to make a change, so we did a deal.”

Commisso is a self-made billionaire, so what ambitions does he have for Fiorentina?

“We can start off by doing better than this year… I won’t make any more promises than that: for now. Financial Fair Play is a vicious cycle.”

There have been rumours Montella will be fired just weeks after taking the job from Stefano Pioli.

“First it is right to talk to Montella, give Mr Montella respect. He is in India, so when he comes here, I want to talk to him. Let’s not create things that don’t exist.”

The big question at Fiorentina is whether Italy international Chiesa will remain at the Stadio Franchi.

“What I know is that Chiesa has a three-year contract, he will stay here for now, let’s hope. I discovered what I read in the papers, but when as far as I know, Chiesa is a Fiorentina player and will remain for at least another year.”

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