Viola make Vidic move

Fiorentina are hoping to steal a march on their rivals for Nemanja Vidic.

Liverpool, Palermo and Fiorentina are all believed to be tracking the highly-rated Serbian defender.

Reports emanating from Italy suggest that Fiorentina have jumped to the head of the queue after flying out to Russia to hold talks with the player.

Viola director of sport Pantaleo Corvino is believed to have met with the player to discuss a move to Florence after being spotted watching Spartak's 1-1 draw with Lokomotiv Moscow.

Fiorentina are ready to offer Vidic a four-year deal to lure him to the Artemio Franchi.

Vidic has two more years to run on his current contract, but Spartak are unlikely to be able to resist a big money offer for the central defender.