Official: Viola reject Mutu offer
Wednesday 23 July, 2008
Roma’s £16m offer for Adrian Mutu has been sensationally rejected, as the club declared "he is and remains a Fiorentina player."
The Romanian had been expected to complete his move to the Stadio Olimpico by the end of the day and fans were anxiously awaiting the official confirmation.
Instead, the club released a statement blocking any attempt to swoop for the former Chelsea, Juventus and Parma hitman.
“ACF Fiorentina President Andrea Della Valle, with reference to Roma’s offer, lets it be known that Mutu is and remains a Fiorentina player.”
The change in tune came directly from brothers Andrea and Diego Della Valle, who own Fiorentina.
According to the latest reports, they took action to call off the move and force Mutu to respect the contract he renewed only recently.
It is possibly turning into the same situation that befell Luca Toni, who was prevented from joining Inter in the summer of 2006 on the agreement he could leave for an overseas club a year later.
Roma are not expected to give up on their primary transfer target, though.
“We have had intense negotiations for Mutu and will continue to do so until the transfer window closes,” said technical director Bruno Conti.