Report: Giuseppe Rossi close to joining Fiorentina

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) -Preparing to return from injury, Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi appears close to completing a transfer from Villarreal to Fiorentina.

The Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fiorentina is prepared to pay a ?9.5 million ($12.45 million) transfer fee.

Rossi's contract would reportedly be worth ?2 million ($2.6 million) per season, plus bonuses.

Rossi has been out for 14 months, since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a game against Real Madrid in October 2011. He underwent surgery a day later, then tore the same ACL again and had another operation in April. He is expected to start playing again in March.

The 25-year-old Rossi has been with Villarreal since 2007. The United States-born striker began his career with Manchester United.