Unwanted Aquilani joining Fiorentina

Liverpool have agreed a deal for midfielder Alberto Aquilani to join Serie A side Fiorentina.

The 28 year old Italian flew directly to Rome from Liverpool’s North American tour and is expected to be announced as a Fiorentina player on Monday.

His departure will then clear the way for Liverpool to complete the signing of Welsh midfielder Joe Allen from Swansea City.

Aquilani joined Liverpool from Roma in 2009 – as a replacement for Xabi Alonso – but a first season marred by injury saw him fail to settle on Merseyside and the last two seasons have been spent out on loan to Juventus and AC Milan.

A major reason for Aquilani’s departure is believed to be his wages, with The Telegraph reporting that his contract equates to around £6.5 million a year (£125,000 per week).

Aquilani wasn’t involved in the Reds friendly with Spurs on Saturday after Brendan Rodgers had told him he was free to leave the club.

By offloading Aquilani, along with Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez already this summer, Liverpool have reduced their wage-bill by around £300,000 per week.

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