Arsenal’s chances of signing Felipe Melo from Fiorentina looked to have vanished after the Brazilian signed a one-year extension to his contract, tying himself to the club until 2013.  Recent reports suggested that Juventus had agreed to pay the EUR 25 million buy out clause for him. However, La Viola issued a statement earlier today that said that Arsenal were the only club who were prepared to pay a sum close to the aforementioned amount. A statement published on the Italian club’s official website said:

“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.”

The statement also added that Fiorentina would be willing to lower the amount if Arsenal agree to include Emmanuel Eboue as part of the deal.

“Fiorentina in turn proposed to the aforementioned club a reduction in the amount set by the release clause by including right-back  Eboue in the deal,” the statement said.

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