Cellino Gives Update Over Federico Viviani Transfer as Busy Summer Continues
Massimo Cellino has revealed that Leeds are no longer in talks with Roma midfielder Federico Viviani, as the club look at their options for the remainder of the transfer window.
Viviani was in talks over a move from Italy to the Championship side this summer and his representatives had reportedly been set to continue discussions in the next week.
But when asked for an update on the situation, Cellino told the Yorkshire Post: "I've already decided. He is out."
The owner has been very vocal about how he plans to spend Leeds' transfer budget of £15m, saying that the club will be making 'five or six' more signings before the transfer window comes to a close.
The Lilly Whites have so far brought in six players, with two on loan, but Viviani won't be one of those coming in after he failed to seal a loan move from his Serie A side.
The Italian flew to England with his advisors to watch Leeds take on Mansfield Town in a pre-season friendly. He was reportedly not impressed with their performance, which resulted in a 2-0 loss, but was still happy to join the club if his contractual demands were met.
However it would appear that the discussions didn't go as hoped and he will now look at other options, with a number of Italian clubs also believed to be interested in the 22 year old.
Cellino has quickly become well known at Leeds for his cut-throat approach to cutting costs at the club and the owner wouldn't likely be swayed by players making demands on a club desperately trying to get back into the black.
The entrepreneur, who sold his other club Cagliari in June this year to concentrate on getting Leeds back into the Premier League, said that realistically the side can aim for a top-flight return in 2016. He has set about cutting costs in all parts of the club since his arrival in April and also recently insisted that all the players move to within close vicinity to Elland Rd.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.