Premier League - Arsenal lead Melo chase

Eurosport - Sun, 05 Jul 08:25:00 2009

Fiorentina have denied reports Felipe Melo has signed for Juventus, claiming Arsenal are the only club to have made an offer for the midfielder.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 Uefa Cup Fiorentina-Ajax Felipe Melo Anita - 0

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, it.violachannel.tv, 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."

PA Sport

Comment 54 - 73 of 73

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  1. that will be wonderful

    From Darlington, on Tue 7 Jul 4:12PM

  2. honestly, we need 2 trust our players&manager. if­ AW says d players okey then in him we should trust. we­ should look at other club they are running at dept but­ we good.

    paul from nottingham east midland

    From paul romec, on Mon 6 Jul 2:58PM

  3. Two horse race for the title Arsenal & Liverpool I­ dont see united coming any closer!!!!!!!!

    From HITMAN, on Mon 6 Jul 12:08PM

  4. I see Arsenal are top of the Premiership table already

    From Dred, on Mon 6 Jul 10:50AM

  5. arsene wenger,please we need melo more than­ anytin,paying 20million pounds for him will not b bad­ at all,i watch d guy in d confederation cup and he is­ just wat we need.but if this fail try and get a good­ defensive midfielder and use song as substitute cos he­ is good defensively.bring in one striker and the sky is­ ur limit.

    From samuel o, on Mon 6 Jul 10:40AM

  6. arsene wenger,please we need melo more than­ anytin,paying 20million pounds for him will not b bad­ at all,i watch d guy in d confederation cup and he is­ just wat we need.but if this fail try and get a good­ defensive midfielder and use song as substitute cos he­ is good defensively.bring in one striker and the sky is­ ur limit.

    From samuel o, on Mon 6 Jul 10:30AM

  7. who said eboue is not good..that why he is part of melo­ deal...at the time arsene need good defensive mid and­ eboue is a 2nd choice for sagna and wallcot on the­ right flank..so exchange eboue and melo would be good­ for both clubs where fiorentina also need right wing..

    From pujai, on Mon 6 Jul 2:50AM

  8. i do hope we bring him to arsenal!

    From gunners4 lyfe:), on Mon 6 Jul 1:29AM

  9. come on arsene,bring melo 2arsenal.please...

    From Koojo, on Mon 6 Jul 12:11AM

  10. phillip melo is good for arsenal.than eboue.so try­ sighn melo ok?

    From Koojo, on Mon 6 Jul 12:09AM

  11. Lauren Etame-Mayer was better than Eboue! But Felipe­ Melo is better than Gilberto Silva was.

    From damnsoldja, on Sun 5 Jul 10:59PM

  12. I see no reason Wenger should to sell Eboue, Gibbs cant­ replace him. Eboue has recovered now, let him proof­ himself once more, Melo is ok, instead bendtner should­ give way. PEROID!

    From Edun, on Sun 5 Jul 6:57PM

  13. Get Melo and give them Eboue.
    Cash in on Adebayor. ­
    Buy David Villa and chuck in Bendtner as part of the ­ deal.
    Can you imagine David Villa and Eduardo Da Silva ­ upfront.
    Magic!!!
    Oh yes how could I forget, get rid ­ of Gallas. He brings a bad vibe to the team.
    Job ­ done!!!

    From aimin4success, on Sun 5 Jul 5:45PM

  14. Who ever says Eboue isnt a good player isnt fit to talk­ about Arsenal's football. The guy is good. Yes he­ had some injury crises but he has gotten better. He­ started well at the right back and was so solid. He was­ changed to the midfield and he plays well there. He­ even had to help on the left back when Young Gibbs­ messed up the semis againt ManU. I think hes better­ than Wallcot, tho he is more matured so he should be­ better than wallcott. I say, AW, sell senderos and a­ copy of utility players and bring in Melo to support­ Fabregas at the def-mid field and then Arshavin, come­ back king - Rosicky, Van P, Ade( if he decides to stay)­ and a host of other fowards to lead the attack. ARSENAL­ FOR LIFE!

    From Olakunle KQT, on Sun 5 Jul 2:28PM

  15. Dee Piddy is spot on Eboue is the worse player ever to­ play for the gunners sale the thick head he is just­ crab and liability at higher risk in our defence, If he­ was good why AW changed him to the midfield? He uses­ Voodoo because all the players who compete for his­ position get injured long term e.g.(Rosiscky,walcott­ etc etc, the guy is a voodoo maaster n prays for­ miracles, camon sale him...

    From Paulo, on Sun 5 Jul 2:21PM

  16. No.53 he signed the contract because it included a­ minimum release of £21M, his old one didn't.

    From chr15b, on Sun 5 Jul 1:35PM

  17. re post 53: Gharlie G.... maybe he's bought a new­ place at Highbury ! That'll be nice and local if­ Melo wants to come play at Ashburton.

    From scooter_uk2day, on Sun 5 Jul 11:28AM

  18. i think melo should come to arsenal with a less salary­ or eboue & sendros in enough 4 fiorentina to give­ arsenal melo

    From ~$b!ja/\/$~, on Sun 5 Jul 11:13AM

  19. I think Arsenal should get Melo by using money,Eboue is­ in good form now and I see no reason wenger want to­ sell him.If Arsenal get Melo,Arsenal could sell one or­ two defenders like Senderos(wants leave),gallas(not­ sign contract)and others.Their defends will stronger­ next season after the arrive of Vermaelen and Melo(If­ he joins Arsenal.)

    From Tham, on Sun 5 Jul 9:26AM

  20. this actually comes from the official fiorentina­ website... the made a statement about wanting eboue

    From nikiwe, on Sun 5 Jul 8:45AM
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