Fiorentina insist £30m Leicester target Nico Gonzalez is not for sale

Fiorentina have told Leicester that attacker Nicolas Gonzalez is not for sale. 

Sportsmail reported on Friday that the Foxes were stepping up their move to sign the £30million-rated Argentine. But the Italian side have publicly rebuffed their approach and now look set to keep the 24-year-old. 

 The Argentine attacker was a priority target for the Foxes, who would have been prepared to make him one of the highest-paid players at the club if they could agree a fee with the Serie A side.  

Fiorentina have told Leicester 24-year-old attacker Nicolas Gonzalez (pictured) is not for sale

 Gonzalez is believed to earn a salary of about £83,000 a week – more than any other player has ever been paid in Florence. 

It was believed Fiorentina would let him go for around £30m to help finance other moves, and despite their public insistence he is not available, the situation is believed to be a little more complex.

Like most Serie A clubs, Fiorentina are far from wealthy and would find it difficult to resist a big offer, especially as they are keen to recruit at least one central midfielder in this window. 

The Italian side’s stance will come as a blow to Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers (pictured)

While they would consider a player exchange, with Leicester midfielder Dennis Praet admired, Fiorentina would prefer a straight cash deal. 

Fiorentina also want to keep Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who impressed for his country at the World Cup as the Atlas Eagles reached the semi-finals.

Primarily a left winger, Gonzalez can play in a variety of roles – on the right or as a centre-forward – and would provide Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers with flexibility in tactics. 

Fiorentina are also keen to keep hold of Moroccan World Cup star Sofyan Amrabat (above)

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has been targeting a right-winger for more than a year, and was hugely disappointed that the club were unable to turn Ademola Lookman’s loan deal into a permanent move. 

They have also looked at Burkina Faso wide man Dango Ouattara, who plays for French club Lorient.

After improving before the World Cup break, the Foxes have lost all three of their league fixtures since the resumption and are now only two points above the relegation zone, ahead of Saturday’s trip to local rivals Nottingham Forest.