‘Berlusconi blocked Mexes departure’

By Football Italia staff

Philippe Mexes’ agent says Milan President Silvio Berlusconi blocked a move to Fiorentina.

The French defender was believed to be close to joining the Viola, but the move collapsed, and the Frenchman remained at Milanello.

Now the player’s representative reveals his client wanted to leave, but the patron stepped in to block the move.

“I’ll have to explain the player’s situation so you can better understand the story,” Olivier Jouanneaux told ViolaNews.

“In July, the player signed a one-year extension to his Milan contract. Then, after the tour of Asia, he slowly began to feel he wasn’t important for the Coach [Sinisa Mihajlovic].

“In the Press they were saying he was going, and there was also the fact the Rossoneri had offered him to other clubs.

“The player raised several questions, and at the same time Fiorentina, through Daniele Prade, got in contact with Milan and Philippe.

“The player realised there was a Coach in Florence [Paulo Sousa] who wanted him. Competition has never been a problem for him, last year at Milan he was training separately, but he worked hard and won back his place in the team.

“He said ‘yes’ to Fiorentina because there was the possibility of moving to a big club, and Mihajlovic didn’t consider him important to his project.

“The Viola offered him a contract with lower wages, but for longer than his Milan deal. However, Mr Berlusconi didn’t want him to leave, he’s fond of Philippe.

“He said yes to the Viola, because they’re a great club, both historically and for their results in the past few years in Italy and Europe.

“He had the opportunity to assert himself and be important, and the security of being appreciated by the Coach. For now, Philippe is a Milan player, and the Rossoneri have always worked well with him.

“He’s a serious professional, he’s not someone who creates problems, but he’d have been very honoured to play for Fiorentina, a big, challenging club.

“I’ve lived in Florence, and I know the environment, but Philippe played for Roma for seven years, another challenging club. He’d give his all in Florence.”

If Mexes continues to be frozen out by Mihajlovic, could the deal be resurrected in January?

“From the moment Silvio Berlusconi said ‘no’, everything stopped. The player went to the club to say he had an offer from Fiorentina, but they wouldn’t let him go.

“A real negotiation between the clubs never happened, because he’s 33-years-old and only has a year left on his contract, he’d be released for free.

“January? I don’t know, football is very fast and unpredictable. It’s hard to say what will happen in six months. It will depend on Fiorentina’s performances, and Milan’s attitude toward Philippe.

“I think Fiorentina have defenders of a certain level, they’re set for a season at least. He’ll give his all for the Rossoneri, as he always has done, even when he’s been benched.

“Would he accept Fiorentina in future? Absolutely, yes. If Milan want to let him go. Then from June onward he’ll be free to do what he wants…”

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