Liverpool teenager Bobby Duncan has completed a £1.8 million permanent move to Fiorentina on a three-year deal.
The forward travelled to Italy to undergo a medical and finalise the formalities of the transfer on Monday, bringing an end to a controversial period for the 18-year-old.
Duncan’s representative, Saif Rubie, released an explosive statement on Twitter last week accusing Liverpool and their sporting director Michael Edwards of “mentally bullying and destroying the life of a young man” after the club rejected loan offers from Fiorentina and FC Nordsjaelland.
The European champions responded that they were “disappointed by the unattributed comments and unfounded allegations that have been made in the media regarding one of our players.”
Liverpool vowed to “work privately with Duncan to find a resolution in the best interests of all involved.”
That has materialised with the England youth international getting the switch he craved after Fiorentina returned with a permanent proposal, which includes a 20% sell-on clause.
It is understood that Rubie was cut out of negotiations, which were handled by the striker’s former agent Rob Segal, who is still registered as his intermediary.
Duncan, cousin of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, joined the Anfield side in August 2018 from Manchester City, where he had been since the age of 11 for a compensation fee of £200,000. He scored 32 goals for the Under-18s last season and also lined up for Jurgen Klopp during the first-team’s pre-season tour of the United States in July.
Meanwhile, Liverpool winger Ryan Kent is on the verge of a permanent £7m transfer to Rangers. The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell under Gerrard’s management at Ibrox last season, scoring six goals in 43 appearances and being named Scotland’s Young Player of the Year.