Juventus beat out Arsenal and sign Melo
Juventus beat out Arsenal and sign Melo
Despite just signing a one-year contract extension with Fiorentina, Felipe Melo has surprisingly signed for Juventus. Fiorentina admitted that they would sell Melo, but only for the right price, which was €20 million. The Brazilian, who has already played in La Liga with Almeria, was wanted by Arsene Wenger to enforce and strengthen his midfield. Arsenal were, in fact, the favorites to sign the ex-Fiorentina man as former Arsenal defensive midfielder, Gilberto Silva, urged him to join the Gunners.
Fiorentina’s transfer chief, Pantaleo Corvino, had previously denied that Juve had made a bid and claimed that Arsenal were the only club that was in a position to attain Melo’s services. Sky Sport Italia were the first to state that Juventus signed Melo on a five-year contract. While this will surely be a blow to Arsenal, Melo will join fellow countrymen Diego and Amauri as the three Brazilian Bianconeri. Arsene Wenger has quickly moved on, as Arsenal is closing in on signing 22-year-old Saint-Etienne midfielder, Blaise Matudi.
