Fiorentina president Mario Cognigni has revealed Riccardo Montolivo rejected a move to AS Roma over the summer.

In an interview published by Corriere Fiorentina on Monday, Cognigni also revealed Roma had come in with a bid for the player this summer, that the club accepted but that Montolivo refused to consider.

"There is a deep bitterness. They [Montolivo and his agent] pretended to be willing to agree [a deal], but there was no intention. In fact, their will was the opposite.

"Bitterness for us because Riccardo was not the icing on the cake, he was the centre of the cake: the captain, the symbol, the man chosen to represent all of our values.

"We have always believed in him from day one. Corvino has never thought to sell him, even when he has struggled, and when many did not see him as a future pivot or leader for the team.

"Roma had offered us €10m plus bonuses. Montolivo did not want to consider the proposal. He said it was out of respect for Florence and Fiorentina. And to go on a free transfer is respectful?

"In his last meeting with Andrea Della Valle, Riccardo said: 'I want to leave on a free transfer, because we are sure there will be major clubs willing to take me,' adding 'I cannot see me playing at the Camp Nou like Antonio Nocerino [of Milan] whilst I am here.'"