Despite Fiorentina's desire to offer Riccardo Montolivo an improved contract, worth of the star's gilded signature, the club and player could not come to an agreement on a deal that would extend his stay at the club until 2016.

Montolivo said:

Fiorentina have always been my priority. I love this shirt, but the doubts that saw me take time to reflect have still not gone away.

In other words, dude wants some Champions League football, and the Viola certainly aren't giving it to him. Which is understandable, after the underwhelming season Fiorentina had -- but at the same time, Montolivo missed a bit due to injury, partially causing this unimpressive form.

Montolivo does say he'll "stay with joy" if Fiorentina wish to keep him through the end of next season. It is also thought that Juventus and Inter Milan want the playmaker, but then again, it's almost certain every player who might possibly switch clubs in Serie A will be linked with one of those two clubs.