Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has told Manchester United and Chelsea they must pay Juan Cuadrado’s £26.1million release clause to lure him away from the Serie A club, the Daily Star reports.

The Premier League duo have been heavily linked with a move for Cuadrado in the current transfer window, however with the deadline approaching must move quick with his buy-out clause expiring at the end of January,

The Blues have reportedly had a bid in the region of £20.6million for the Colombian rejected, while the Red Devils are preparing to exchange Adnan Januzaj in a potential swap deal.

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However Cuadrado’s manager Vincenzo Montella has claimed that the club will not settle for anything less than his buy-out clause, and that his star asset has never expressed his desire to leave the Viola.

“His situation is very easy. In his contract there is a release clause, and if another team pays this amount he can leave Fiorentina,” Montella told Sky Sports.

“He has never said that he wants to leave for Chelsea because he and I have not spoken about that situation.

“I think Chelsea have probably been in talks with his agent but I don’t know. His €35m release clause has to be paid if he is to leave.

“I hope Cuadrado stays at Fiorentina of course. His mind is clear he’s enjoying playing here, he’s a good guy and I think he will stay.

“He has the characteristics suited to English football because he’s fantastic in positive transitions and with Mourinho it could be perfect.”

The 26-year-old was one of his country’s stand-out players during Colombia’s march to the World Cup quarter finals back in the summer, and has continued his good form in this Serie A campaign scoring six goals and providing four assists in all competitions.

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