Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj has rejected a contract offered by Aston Villa, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The 29-year-old is currently preparing for the World Cup with the Croatian national team. He has 36 caps for his country, where he plays alongisde the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in midfield.

His club future is unclear,though, with his contract at Fiorentina running out this summer. Therefore, Villa as well as West Ham tried to take advantage of this with contract offers.

However, Villa's chances of landing the midfielder were all but over after they lost to Fulham on Saturday in the play-off final.

His future appears to be with the Viola even if they have been late in extending his stay at the club. He played an important role this season with 27 appearances as well as two goals and an assist in an eighth place league finish, which was overshadowed by the death of club captain Davide Astori.

The Verdict

This was always going to be a tough task for Villa even if they achieved promotion because Fiorentina were fighting for the European places last season and narrowly missed out. Badelj would have been an excellent signing, though, because he has the ability to act as a deep-lying playmaker or an anchor for the midfield.

Steve Bruce will have to look for less ambitious targets now they have failed to achieve promotion because they haven't got the status or the financial availability to bring this level of players in.

Thoughts, Aston Villa fans? Let us know in the comments below.