Palermo have defended the sales of defenders Mattia Cassani and Cesare Bovo.

Centre-back Bovo was allowed to join Genoa, while Italian international right-back Cassani opted for a switch to Fiorentina instead.

"I have always said that the players who left the club did so at their own request," Rosanero sporting director Sean Sogliano said.

"We shouldn't make the departures of Bovo or Cassani bigger than they were.

"There were some players who had given a lot to Palermo and they needed a new challenge. This happens a lot in football.

"Cycles start and end.

"There were some players who felt they had more to give the club and others who believed they had given their best.

"Players move clubs, but the shirt remains the same for the fans."