Is Felipe Melo a Smart Option for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal?

(Photo by New Press/Getty Images)

After Arsenal suffered their fourth consecutive season without receiving anything new to put in their dusty trophy cabinet, Arsene Wenger has assured fans he will spend this summer in order to seriously upgrade his midfield and defensive departments.

Wenger failed to attract the likes of Brede Hangeland, Xabi Alonso, Gareth Barry, and Yaya Toure to the Emirates, so now the Frenchman has turned his attention to Italy.

Rumour has it that Wenger is preparing a £15 million bid for Fiorentina's Felipe Melo. The Brazilian has been on Wenger's eye for a number of years now, and he finally looks set to sign the midfielder.

If signed, Melo will bring strength, size, experience, and creativity to the Arsenal midfielder. The 25-year-old is over six feet tall and very strong on and off the ball. However, his price range is uncertain; it is unclear whether Fiorentina will allow their midfield maestro to depart Italy for £15 million.

Wenger is also set to sign Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen, who will cost around £10 million. If Wenger is serious about adding Melo to his side, then he will be forced to sell at least two players, most notably Philippe Senderos and Abou Diaby.

Wenger was eager to bring in quality players, and Melo is no doubt worthy of the quality tag, but is it a smart option with the cost being more than what the Gunners paid for Andrei Arshavin in January?

Is Felipe Melo a smart option for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal?

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