Fiorentina have denied reports Felipe Melo has signed for Juventus, claiming Arsenal are the only club to have made an offer for the midfielder.
Melo appeared to end speculation strongly linking him to the Gunners by signing a one-year extension to his contract on Tuesday, tying the 25-year-old to La Viola until 2013 and including a release clause of 25 million euros.
Reports in Italy suggested the Brazil international had agreed a deal with Juve, with the two clubs set to meet on Tuesday - something Fiorentina have moved swiftly to deny.
A statement on the club's website read: "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 25 million euros. 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."
Melo moved to the Stadio Artemio Franchi last summer from Spanish side Almeria in a transfer worth 8million euros.






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i'm a gooner, but is Melo going to bring anything more than Denilson has? Let's not forget Deni played well all season and most of it while Fabs was out injured. Rosiky is back and will be hungry to show what we have missed, he is direct and with Arshavin and fabs and wallcot, we have a great midfield. This is our year!
I watched Melo play at Loftus in Pretoria (USA vs Brazil). He plays well and scored one of the goals. I had never heard of him. He is really good and he played in all of Brazil's matches at the confederations cup. Arsenal have to sign him.
Always a Gooner.
if arsenal sign in melo gunners can bring london all the cups!!MELO IS THE BEST FOR ARSENAL
Hurray,
Come on Arsenal... I will love Melo as gunner next season. But plz buy naldo as aboue replacement .... Plz arsen wenger we as gunner fan hope comming season we will at least 2 cup .. GUNNER $ EVER.
Hope arsene wenger knows what his doing now. Hope this new season is going to be different from the last four season of pain and agony. Get good players required to fit into arsenal kind of play not just any player. We've got to win something this season, most especially premiership.
i will like arsenal to sign felipe melo for us to strengthen the sqad for the next comming premier league and champions league
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