Fiorentina hand duo new contracts

Both Marcos Alonso and Matias Fernandez have been handed contract extensions by Fiorentina, after some lengthy discussions.

With their previous contracts set to have run out in the coming June, the club finally decided to nail down two of their most important players, amidst suggestions that the pair would be making an early January exit.

Fernandez in particular was believed to have entered talks over a renewal as early as last summer, though a deal had failed to materialise after several rumours started to insist that the Chilean international felt homesick and was looking for a way out. Meanwhile, Alonso, was linked with a move to his father's former side Barcelona, as well as Real Madrid.

However, the guys at the top have moved fast to ensure that none of these rumoured moves come to fruition any time soon and have swiftly dished out two new deals to keep both players at the club for the considerable future.

Alonso has signed on to a five year deal (woah, calm yourselves people) set until June 30, 2021, whilst Fernandez has penned a contract set to last until 2018.

Since his move to Tuscany from Bolton Wanderers, Alonso has featured in 65 games for the Viola, bagging four goals and six assists, whilst Fernandez has amassed 119 appearances, with six goals and 27 assists.

Say what you will about the quality of the two, but it is certainly a relief to see the club convince key squad members to renew and not allow them to run down their contract before moving on to another team for free, as has become an unfortunate trend within the past few years.