Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade is hopefule that winger Mohamed Salah will stay at the club for another season, but admits the decision is down to the player.
The Egypt international moved to Artemio Franchi from Chelsea on an 18 month loan deal in January as part of the deal taking Juan Cuadrado the other way.
Salah impressed in his debut season in Serie A, scoring six goals in 16 games, but a summer of upheaval at La Viola has seen coach Vincenzo Montella sacked, leaving Salah's future in Florence in doubt.
The 23-year-old has the option of staying at the club or heading back to Stamford Bridge and Prade believes he intends to remain for another year.
"Fiorentina have exercised our option, the player has the right to choose and hopefully it’ll be in our favour," the club official told reporters on Monday.
"We want to keep him, and Salah will talk to the coach. His predisposition is to stay.”
New trainer Sousa confirmed Fiorentina's desire to count on him next term, stating: "He is a player I have followed and I know him well. He can make a difference for us."
Fiorentina narrowly failed to achieve Champions League football a third consecutive time under Montella last season, finshing in fourth - five points behind third-placed Lazio who pipped them to the final qualifying berth.
