Felipe Melo Off to Juventus?

(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Italian sources have just recently released information that Felipe Melo has signed for Italian giants Juventus for a fee of €20 million plus Maro Marchionni.

Melo has supposedly penned a five-year contract with the club that will see him earn around €2.6 million a year.

This news comes days after Fiorentina announced that Arsenal have been the only club to make a concrete offer for the Brazilian midfielder, which was reportedly a deal of €21 million plus utility man Emmanuel Eboue.

Fiorentina's official website had stated:

“The director [Pantaleo 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 for the right back Eboue.”

Arsenal for the past few days had been in the pole position to sign the highly-rated 25-year-old despite earlier reports claiming he had already agreed personal terms with Juventus.

On the rumours of an alleged agreement between Felipe Melo and Juventus, the statement continued:

"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."

The source is coming from Sky Sport Italia, which comes as a pretty reliable source.

The news is reported to be announced in the coming days, even as soon as tomorrow.

This would come as a huge blow to Arsenal Fans, who have been very vocal in the club's need to strengthen their defensive and midfield this off-season.

That now leaves only Marseille captain Lorik Cana as a potential candidate, who has stated he will decide his future by the end of the week.

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