Melo agrees new Fiorentina deal
442 Staff - Tuesday 30 June 2009, 12:42
Reported Arsenal target Felipe Melo has agreed a new contract
with Fiorentina, all-but ending any chance of the Gunners landing him
this summer.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has made 29 league
appearances for la Viola since arriving from Spanish side
Almeria a year ago.
And he was part of the Brazil side that successfully defended their
Confederations Cup crown on Sunday with victory against USA, having
netted for the Samba Boys against
the same opposition in the group phase of the competition.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is believed to be a keen admirer of the
middle-man, who has been capped 10 times by his country, with the
Frenchman eager to add some steel to his midfield ahead of the new
Premier League campaign.
And although the midfielder's Brazil comrade Gilberto had urged him not to think twice about a move to Arsenal should Wenger come
calling, Melo has now extended his deal with Fiorentina until 2013.
"Fiorentina announces that its sporting director Pantaleo Corvino
met in Milan with Felipe Melo's agent and an agreement was reached to
extend the player's contract until 2013 with a buy-out clause also
included," said a statement on the club's official website.
NEWS: Gilberto - Arsenal need man like Melo
NEWS: Melo reports squashed by spokeman
NEWS: Gilardino denies Melo exit talk
NEWS: Gilardino: Melo may be sold
NEWS: Flattered Melo may yet join Arsenal
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