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THE Viola are adamant that they retain the right to buy the Egypt international but the winger’s agent insists that he belongs to Chelsea Fiorentina have announced they are willing to take legal action against Mohamed Salah over his refusal to remain at the Artemio Franchi.

The Viola signed the Egypt international on loan from Chelsea in January and it was reported at the time that the Serie A side retained the option to extend the agreement for another year and buy the forward for an agreed fee at the end of the 2015-16 season.

However, Salah and his agent maintain that the 23-year-old did not sign any contract committing himself to Fiorentina beyond June 30.

Consequently, the Viola — who also claim to have offered Salah a pay rise to stay in Florence — are now ready to settle the matter in the courts, with the former Basel ace having refused to turn up for pre-season training.

“The player, through his representative, rejected the offer of improvement of his contract and he has even expressed his intention to be transferred to another club and not answer a call-up that had already been submitted,” read a statement released on Fiorentina’s official website on yesterday.

“Our lawyers will now work to evaluate lawsuits aimed at defending Fiorentina.”

However, Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas claimed before Fiorentina’s public announcement that Salah will not be at the Franchi next season — no matter what happens.

“There is a document that proves that Salah can decide his own future,” he told Radio Bruno Toscano.

“The contract with Fiorentina expired on June 30. Now the boy will return to Chelsea and await other offers. Salah will not remain with the Viola. All of the offers that the club made him have been rejected. The situation has been clear since February.

“Fiorentina knew the facts. They are a great club and they know what it means to sign a contract.

“I have explained also to Chelsea that the contract with the Viola is finished.

“Fiorentina cannot exercise any rights because the player didn’t sign a permanent contract.”

Abbas added that he now expects his client’s future to be resolved in the coming days —and that the winger could end up lining up for another Serie A side next season. “I can only say that he belongs to Chelsea but that he’s liked by Italian clubs, among others,” the agent added.

“Some of these clubs have shown great interest in him. There will be news in the coming days.

“Mohamed is grateful to the city of Florence for the way in which they treated him, but I cannot speak for him: just that there will be a chance to explain everything.” — Goal