Fiorentina ‘couldn’t say no’ to €35m Al-Hilal proposal for Comuzzo | OneFootball

Fiorentina director of sport Daniele Pradè admits the €35m offer from Al-Hilal for Pietro Comuzzo ‘was one we couldn’t say no to,’ but the player had other ideas.

The deal was effectively done between the two clubs over the summer and it would’ve been a massive profit for the Viola, especially considering he is a youth academy product.

However, the 20-year-old put the brakes on the entire agreement and refused to make the move to the Saudi Pro League, turning down an eye-watering salary.

Fiorentina were prepared to sell Comuzzo

FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Pietro Comuzzo of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Torino at Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 19, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“We received an enormous offer from Al-Hilal for Pietro, but his decision is to be respected, he wasn’t ready for this decision,” confessed Pradè in a press conference today.

“He proved that he is already a strong man who knows his own mind, as well as a strong player. He is a credit to our youth academy.”

Fiorentina were criticised by some of their fans for so quickly accepting the offer from Al-Hilal, but for a relatively new player, it was something that had to be taken into consideration.

“As a director of sport, I say yes, that was an offer we couldn’t say no to. But I am a director, the club owner is a different matter.”

The Viola did spend €25m plus €2m in add-ons to purchase centre-forward Roberto Piccoli from Cagliari in the final days of the transfer session.

“Initially, Cagliari had asked for €30m, but the negotiations went on for a while. With the figures that are being paid nowadays for strikers, I’d say €25m is a bargain,” concluded the director.