Fiorentina have announced that they are to take legal action against Mohamed Salah for allegedly breaking an agreement to play for them next season.
Salah, 23, scored six goals in 16 league games for La Viola last season during a six-month loan spell from Chelsea.
That loan was due to be extended by a season, according to an agreement the club had both with the player and the Premier League champions.
However, the Egyptian forward has made it known via his agent that he does not want to stay in Florence next season, and is instead ready to commit to joining another Serie A club.
According to Fiorentina, he is in breach of contract by doing so and they released a statement on their official website on Friday announcing that they are to take legal action against the former Basel player.
"Following recent developments concerning Mohamed Salah, Fiorentina would like to clarify the following points out of respect for Viola fans," read the statement.
"Through his representative, the player has rejected our improved contract offer and expressed his desire to join another club. He has also informed us that he does not intend to respond to our request for him to report back for preseason training.
"As a result of the above, we have placed the matter in the hands of our lawyers so that they may assess all possible courses of action in order to protect the club's rights."
The Italian club maintain that they had an agreement in place with Chelsea that only they or the Premier League club could terminate, but not the player.
A separate understanding between Salah and Fiorentina was also made in which the player could change his mind by informing them prior to June 30.
The Florence club claim that did not happen and reminded Salah that he is expected to report for preseason training on July 13.
Inter Milan and Roma are both monitoring the situation closely while Juventus have also been touted as a possible destination for the 23-year-old, who now looks increasingly unlikely to continue playing for Fiorentina next season despite their attempts to block a move elsewhere.
Fiorentina director Vincenzo Guerini had previously said that the club had handed Salah an "insane offer," adding: "If any player, not just Salah, turned down a proposal like that, then it's best he doesn't stay at Fiorentina."