Fiorentina: We Are In Negotiations To Sell Felipe Melo To Arsenal

Arsenal are the only club to have made a bid for Fiorentina star Felipe Melo, the Italian club have announced. The Viola appear prepared to sell the Brazilian star with Emmanuel Eboue moving the other way as part of the deal.

Sky Sport Italia claimed earlier today that Juventus had reached an agreement with Felipe Melo’s agents, and that the Bianconeri would meet with Fiorentina officials on Tuesday in order to conclude a transfer fee.

However, Fiorentina have now posted an official announcement on their website, in which transfer chief Pantaleo Corvino sets the record straight.

Corvino claims that Arsenal are the only club to have tabled an offer for Felipe Melo, who has a release clause of €25 million, and suggests that Fiorentina are prepared to sell if Emmanuel Eboue is included as part of the exchange.

“The director [Corvino] points out that Arsenal FC are the only club that has come close to [Felipe Melo’s] release clause.

“Fiorentina, in turn, has proposed that the clubs reduce the amount of this clause by entering into negotiations the right back Eboue.”

On the rumours of an alleged agreement between Felipe Melo's agents and Juventus, Fiorentina did not deny that those two parties may have reached an accord.

"In the event that the player has already agreed terms with another club, the buy-out clause the player has with his club to the value of €25 million does not take into consideration any technical exchanges (player exchanges), unless Fiorentina is in agreement."