Football News
Montolivo unconcerned by Arsenal rumours
La Viola playmaker Riccardo Montolivo is un-disturbed by rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal and is focused on his future in Italy with Serie A club Fiorentina.
Montolivo, 25, began his career with Atalanta making his debut at the tender age of 18. Following a string of good performances the Italian playmaker joined La Viola in 2005 and has since been made captain of the Florence based side following the departures of Dario Dainelli and Martin Jorgensen.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had been linked with a move for the highly-rated midfielder with reports suggesting Montolivo pulled out of contract talks with Fiorentina upon hearing the interest of the North London club.
Montolivo said: "My contract is not a case that people need to worry about. I'm fine in Florence.
"There is no case and I do not want to talk about it now, I'll do so tomorrow after the game, now I want to concentrate on the Faroe Islands."
Fiorentina's director of sport Pantaleo Corvino had been hopeful that the club will soon agree a new long-term contract with the Italian midfielder.
The 25-year-old was offered a new five-year deal before the World Cup finals, but has so far failed to put pen to paper at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Corvino revealed:
"Before the World Cup we were very close to renewing Montolivo's contract and until his agent's comments remained in that position.
"Fiorentina had found an agreement on the length of the contract and the figures. Then the words of his agent changed the situation."
Montolivo himself added: "It's true what my agent said about there being some distance."
The player's agent, Giovanni Branchini, had earlier stated: "I think that there are promises owed to the correctness of relationships, which have always been at a high level between us.
"La Viola's director of sport referred to meetings that took place in April, when we spoke and didn't find an agreement at the first attempt.
"Now the situation has changed under certain aspects, even if Riccardo's desire is that of renewing his contract with Fiorentina.
"However, for the moment, the player only wants to wait before taking a definitive decision.
"The financial aspect doesn't figure in any of this. He only wants time before tying himself to Fiorentina for the rest of his career."