[Diabolico]

Viola ignore Gilardino option
Thursday 21 June, 2007
Fiorentina chief Andrea Della Valle has insisted that his club are not tracking Milan ace Alberto Gilardino.

The Viola were alleged to have made a £10m bid to the Rossoneri for the striker earlier this week, but that claim has been rubbished.

“We are not interested in him,” Della Valle noted on Thursday. “After all, we already have Giampaolo Pazzini.

“He will be our centre-forward next season and I don’t want all of this speculation to destabilize him.”

The Tuscan club have put their faith in the Italian Under-21 international after they sold Luca Toni to Bayern Munich for just £8m.

Although Gilardino doesn’t seem to be on the way, the Fiorentina main man is confident that his club will be competitive next term.

“Our objective is to finish the championship in between third and sixth place,” added Della Valle.

“We will make a few changes to the side, but let us leave [sporting director Pantaleo] Corvino to work in peace. Mistakes happen when things are wrapped up too soon.

“Corvino is working well with great intelligence and you will all see the results at the end of the summer.”

Gilardino, also a reported target for Juventus, committed his future to Milan this afternoon but it is understood that he could still move on before the start of next season.

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