U.S. Città di Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has insisted that Uruguay international striker Abel Hernandez is not for sale amid speculation linking him with a summer exit from the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Sky Sports understands.
Hernandez, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2016, is reportedly attracting interest from a number of Serie A clubs, including A.S. Roma and S.S.C. Napoli, following Palermo’s relegation to Serie B.
However, Zamparini has reassured the Rosanero faithful that the Uruguay international, who scored just one goal in 14 league appearances for Palermo last season, will stay in Sicily.
“Napoli? Roma? Abroad? No, Abel Hernandez remains at Palermo,” said Zamparini.
“The clubs, instead of calling the club who owns him, make contact with agents or the player and it adds to the confusion. Hernandez is not for sale.
“To avoid speculation in the future, and if a club wishes to sign Hernandez, they must first talk with me and then agree a fee.”
According to reports, Hernandez wants to secure a move away from the Stadio Renzo Barbera in order to improve his chances of representing Uruguay at the World Cup in Brazil next summer.
Fiorentina sign Ilicic
ACF Fiorentina have completed the signing of Slovenia international midfielder Josip Iličić from U.S. Città di Palermo, per Sky Sports.
Iličić, who signed a five-year deal at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, was officially introduced by the Viola at a press conference on Friday.
The Slovenia international, 22, bagged 11 goals and two assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for Palermo last term, but was still unable to prevent the club from relegation to Serie B.
“When I knew Fiorentina was looking for me, I decided I wanted to move to Florence because I think the Viola team is the strongest in Italy and I wasn’t interested in others,” said Iličić.
“I didn’t look at other teams, I only looked at Florence. It was good to see them strengthen with Giuseppe Rossi and Mario Gomez. The value of the group deserves at least Champions League football.
“I found it difficult at Palermo because every three months the coach or manager would change.”
Iličić is the Viola’s eighth summer signing, following the likes of Gustavo Munúa, Joaquín, Marcos Alonso, Mario Gómez, Marko Bakić, Matías Vecino and Oleksandr Yakovenko to Florence.
The arrival of Iličić gives manager Vincenzo Montella plenty of attacking options ahead of the 2013/14 season, with the Viola targeting a top-three, UEFA Champions League place.
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