Alieu Njie’s agent Sandro Martone has revealed Crystal Palace and West Ham United failed to sign his client in the summer window.
On August 30th, Torino allowed the winger to join Fiorentina on loan with a conditional obligation to buy of €16m.
Viola News spoke to the 21-year-old’s representative to discuss his move to La Viola. During the interview, Martone also talked about Crystal Palace and West Ham offers.
Crystal Palace attempts well documented
Last month, Sport Witness covered a report from Italy explaining that Torino rejected the Premier League side’s initial offer and demanded €20m. The UEFA Conference League winners were to return with an improved offer.
Sandro Martone has confirmed Crystal Palace made a convincing offer, right after the Turin club reached an agreement with Fiorentina.
Their efforts to snatch Alieu Njie from La Viola’s clutches were unsuccessful. The agent confirmed West Ham United also tabled a bid to sign the attacker.
He reveals about the two London clubs when asked whether there was interest from the Premier League and beyond.
“Between late July and early August, Salzburg had come very close to finalising the signing. Then there was Crystal Palace, in addition to an official offer submitted by West Ham to Torino,” he said.
“There’s an interesting anecdote involving Crystal Palace: on the very morning of his medical exam with Fiorentina, by which time the deal with La Viola had already finalised, the English club sent Torino a new offer matching Paratici’s figure.”
“The young player’s style is a great fit for the Premier League, but Alieu made a clear choice: he really wanted to join Fiorentina.”
Fiorentina perfect springboard
Sandro Martone believes the Serie A side can provide Alieu Njie the perfect platform to take the next step in his career.
The representative mentions this when asked whether his client aspires to join a big club in the future.
“I’m absolutely sure about it,” Martone explained.
“Over the summer, I told him that, beyond the financial aspect, which might initially be more attractive elsewhere, doing well at Fiorentina represents the perfect springboard.
“Doing well at Fiorentina means opening the doors to a top club. He has outstanding physical and technical qualities, and his age is on his side.”
