Former Fiorentina midfielder Christian Amoroso has warned the club must not sell their top players if they want to once again become a force in Italian football.

The Florence based outfit were a competitive force in the 1990's and early 2000's, led by legendary Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta.

Amoroso was part of the team which won Fiorentina's last trophy, the 2001 Coppa Italia, by defeating Parma across two legs.

However, the their dismal financial situation soon came to the fore and they went bankrupt in 2002, causing the original club to dissolve and re-emerge as a new entity in Serie C 2.

It has been a long road back for Fiorentina, but with American billionaire Rocco Commisso at the helm, things are looking up for the club.

As well as signing Franck Ribery and Kevin Prince-Boateng, la Viola are bringing through young talent like Federico Chiesa and Nikola Milenkovic.

Speaking to Tribalfootball.com, former midfielder Amoroso was wary of Fiorentina becoming a selling club

"There is still a lot of work to do," he said. "But if you want to grow you don't have to sell your jewels."

Chiesa has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Asked about the 22-year-old's potential exit, Amoroso added: "I don't know if he will do well abroad, but I think yes. The fans will also adapt because it is he who asked to be sold."

Another new arrival in January was Patrick Cutrone, who signed from Wolves on loan.

But Amoroso isn't convinced by the former AC Milan forward, stating: "Ups and downs. I don't know if I would still bet on him."