Rui Costa on way out of Fiorentina

Fiorentina star Rui Costa is ready to start transfer talks with SS Lazio and Parma AC with the Rome club clear favourites to sign the play maker.

Lazio want the former Benfica player to replace Juan Veron when the Argentine captain leaves Italy for either FC Barcelona or Real Madrid to escape the fake nationality case which will see him go to trial in Rome on October 11th with Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti.

Parma are making a strong bid for Rui Costa though as they are set to lose defender Lilian Thuram in the summer with their goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defensive star Fabian Cannavaro also wanted by other clubs.

Rui Costa almost quit Florence for Milan last summer but was persuaded to stay at the club by then coach Fatih Terim. But Fiorentina saw Terim quit after a row with owner Vittorio Cecchi Gori and Costa clashed with the directors about his future at the club. Fiorentina are already preparing to off load his Portuguese team mate Nuno Gomes to PSG with veteran defenders Torricelli and Repka also set to leave the club. Sergio Pierini is attracting interest from Juventus and Milan as well and Rui Costa's £22 million sale may be needed to help fund replacements and a new Fiorentina under caoch Roberto Mancini.