Antonio Cassano has confirmed he has turned down the chance to join Fiorentina, choosing to remain at Sampdoria.

Cassano has been a firm fans' favourite since moving from Real Madrid two and a half years ago, reigniting his career as the controversial striker became one of the most feared forwards in Serie A.

Speculation had been rife the 27-year-old was on the verge of completing a move to Fiorentina, with Viola striker Adrian Mutu temporarily suspended and facing a lengthy ban following a positive drugs test.

Cassano admits he seriously considered the move amid reports of a fall-out with coach Luigi Del Neri, but insists he is staying at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

"I'm staying at Sampdoria," he said. "For the president Riccardo Garrone, for my people and my team-mates but also, and above all, for me.

"I'm staying, although I cannot deny that for a moment I felt far away from all this and from that which over the past three years has literally changed my life.

"On Saturday, the chance of a transfer - albeit on a temporary basis - to Fiorentina was offered to me by my agent.

"A great club and a wonderful team asked for me to be part, from now until June, of an ambitious project with the opportunity to play in the Champions League."

Cassano was left out of the Samp squad for the second match in a row by Del Neri, who slammed journalists for creating a "media circus", insisting it was purely a tactical decision.

Jeers rang out ahead of today's win over Atalanta when Del Neri's name was announced, while there has been widespread anger in the Blucerchiati half of Genoa over Cassano's exclusion.

The Italian admitted the fans played a big part in his decision to stay and fight for his place.

Cassano continued: "I can't deny that I thought about it at a time in which, here in Genoa, the spaces to play seem to me to be decisively reduced, given the recent statements by the coach.

"I reiterate my respect for the coach's choices but it was for this, at a time of profound disappointment, I could not help but at least consider the Viola option.

"In a few hours, however, Genoa and my people really swamped me with expressions of love and affection without equal, unthinkable even to me who was immediately tied to these fantastic fans and this environment in a really intense way.

"They were demonstrations which touched me and really moved me. It was above all for this that I decided to remain here.

"Fiorentina offered me an extraordinary opportunity but my history and my footballing life today and tomorrow are and will be here, at Genoa with my Sampdoria."