Astori could bail on Napoli move to come to Fiorentina

Davide Astori was tenuously linked with Fiorentina earlier this summer, but Napoli beat la Viola to the 28 year old defender, having agreed to terms more than a week ago, forcing Fiorentina to search for alternatives to replace Stefan Savic.

Game over, man. Game over. So long, Astori (bad puns and embarrassing high school music forever).

But now, Alfredo Pedulla reports that the Bergamo-born Astori is having second thoughts. At issue is Astori's personal sponsorship with Puma and image rights (huh?).

Expected to join the Partenopei at their camp in Dimaro today, the ex-Cagliari defender remains a no-show, with Napoli reportedly getting tired of the whole affair thinking about packing it in and moving on amid the player's stated interest in Fiorentina.

Whether this is merely a ploy by his agent or a legitimate business consideration remains to be seen, but it could be a decent bonus for Fiorentina.

There were reports immediately after the Savic transfer that Daniele Prade had asked Astori to "wait" before moving to Napoli, and the current dallying could be Astori actually listening to a Fiorentina offer.

Davide Astori started his career at Milan, but never appeared for the senior side and moved to Cagliari in 2008, scoring his first goal for them against Fiorentina. He reportedly turned down a 15 million euro move to Spartak Moscow in 2012, choosing to accomplish his goals at Cagliari instead.

Apparently, those goals were accomplished, as he was loaned out to Roma last season, who declined his 5 million euro purchase option.

Astori was an U18 international, but didn't make another international appearance until being capped by Cesare Prandelli in 2011. He was a member of the bronze-winning 2013 Confederations Cup squad and scored against Uruguay in the third place game.

The latest news from Di Marzio is that Napoli remain optimistic about completing the deal by the end of the day, but that this could be the final deadline. If Astori "pulls a Salah" and refuses to get back to the Neapolitan club, then Fiorentina might swoop for an experienced and Italian central defender.