Despite rumours that Melo had agreed to move to Juventus, his current club Fiorentina have publicly announced that they are in negotiations with none other than our beloved Arsenal.
A statement was released on the official Fiorentina site regarding the transfer of Melo…
“Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino, in denying the transfer rumours of the past few hours, which sees Felipe Melo definitely at other clubs and reporting potential meetings to finalise the transfer of the player, underlines the following:
“In case the footballer has already reached an agreement with any club, the release clause fixed with the player himself is €25million. We would not contemplate any exchange, unless it is to the liking of Fiorentina.
“Arsenal is the only club to have come close to the sum established by the release clause.
“Fiorentina in turn proposed to the aforementioned club a reduction in the amount set by the release clause by including right-back (Emmanuel) Eboue in the deal.”
In the recent couple of days, I really thought the Melo deal was dead – hearing that the player had signed a new contract and also amongst rumours that Juventus were close to signing – some of the Italian media publishing stories that the Old Lady had already signed the player.
But now, it seems like we are in pole position – being the closest club to offer what the Italian club are asking for and in this recent statement, it seems like Fiorentina are interested in and want to trade Eboue as part of the deal. Of course, a deal could now be resurrected depending on whether we want to let Eboue go and depending on whether the player wants to leave. Of course, the right back has mentioned that he’s not happy with a bit part role and would leave if the right offer came in – so there is a possibility that this could happen. Would you be happy with £15m + Eboue? How much is Eboue valued as? Or what about £10m, Eboue and Senderos? Too much for Melo, or a perfect solution financially and the fact we would lose two players whose futures don’t really look too rosy at the Emirates.
If this was to happen, and happen in the next few days, we’d go into pre-season training with a new defensive midfielder of the highest quality and of course, a new defender in Senderos – that would potentially leave us short for cover at right back – but that is a position that Toure and Djourou have and can play, so that could be what is in Arsene’s mind.
More on that story later today… more later…
