Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero was almost moved to tears by a group of fans who congregated outside his Florence home, begging him to stay at the club.
The 32-year-old is being linked with a move to Inter Milan after complaining in a message to friends, which was leaked to the media, that he does not feel he has the support of club management.
A Fiorentina player since 2012, the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder is a firm fans' favourite in Florence and a large group did what they could to convince him to stay by chanting his name outside his apartment, after having earlier protested against his potential sale outside the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The Spaniard appeared at his window with his wife and looked emotionally touched by their gesture, FirenzeViola reports.
Both Valero and another fans' favourite Federico Bernardeschi are expected to leave the Viola this summer, although club manager Giancarlo Antognini insists that any departures will be adequately replaced.
"We don't yet know which players will get to wear the Viola shirt [next season], and somebody will be leaving, but those who arrive are going to be of a certain value too," he told TMW Radio. "We will be bringing in some new players -- young lads who need to be guided -- and I will aim to make my contribution as I have always tried to do.
"Besides, nowadays you cannot think that a player will stay here for 10 years with the same shirt."
Juventus are reportedly interested in Bernardeschi, who has informed Fiorentina this summer that he will not be signing a new contract with them. His current deal still runs until 2019, but they are expected to cash in on a player valued at around €45 million.
