Fiorentina says Mohamed Salah has rejected contract offer, will leave club this summer

Mohamed Salah took Serie A by storm after joining Fiorentina on loan from Chelsea in January, with his blistering pace and willingness to run at defenders one of the highlights of La Viola's campaign.

The speedy Egyptian winger won over Fiorentina fans as quickly as he flew past defenders. And, equally as fast, he has alienated the club to the point where the relationship is no longer tenable.

Amid reported interest from the likes of Inter and Roma, Fiorentina announced Friday that the 23-year-old will not be returning to the club this season.

Following recent developments concerning Mohamed Salah, ACF Fiorentina would like to clarify the following points out of respect for Viola fans.

Through his representative, the player has rejected our improved contract offer and expressed his desire to join another club. He has also informed us that he does not intend to respond to our request for him to report back for pre-season training. As a result of the above, we have placed the matter in the hands of our lawyers so that they may assess all possible courses of action in order to protect the club's rights.

Fiorentina, citing an agreement brokered with the player last year upon his loan move, were expecting Salah to join the rest of the team for pre-season training on July 13 - something which clearly will not be happening now.

And to think, just months ago he was the undisputed star of a team pushing hard for a Champions League berth, and humiliating the best team in the country with breathtaking goals like this:

How quickly things change.

As for Inter's interest in the winger, manager Roberto Mancini addressed that during a press conference on Friday ...