Tribalfootball understands Fiorentina defender Ahmed Hegazy is set for a loan move in January after the club rejected reports they had terminated his contract.
Reports emanating from Hegazy's native Egypt last week claimed Italian side Fiorentina were ready to cancel the defender's contract due to his lack of involvement in the first-team after a lengthy spell on the sidelines because of injury.
However, Fiorentina moved swiftly to reject those rumours and the plan is to send the 23-year old Egyptian international out on loan this winter in order to get some valuable first-team action under his belt.
The Fiorentina statement read: "Regarding what has been reported in the Egyptian media, ACF Fiorentina announces that the contract with Ahmed Hegazy is still valid.
"It has not been rescinded as erroneously reported and the club does not intend to do so now that the player has returned to play after the severe injury that kept him away from the pitch for a long time.
"He is a player we believe in very much and therefore we endeavour to get the best out of him now that he is fully fit."
The likes of Espanyol, Chievo Verona, Bastia and Freiburg have all expressed an interest in Hegazy and the player's agent, Christian Emile, insists the 6ft 4 defender remains a part of Fiorentina's long-term plans.
"It is completely inaccurate what was being reported in the Egyptian media," Emile told tribalfootball.
"As Fiorentina have stated publicly, they have not terminated Ahmed Hegazy's contract and there is no intention of doing so whatsoever. On the contrary, there has been a discussion about extending it (his contract) in the near future."
"Ahmed is an excellent talent and Fiorentina recognise that. He is rated highly at the club and now that he is fully fit, we will decide together on the right course of action to get the best out of him - whether that will be a loan move if the right club comes along in January or for him to stay and compete for his starting place at Fiorentina."
