Eboue a bargain against Melo, for Voila

Serie A giants Fiorentina have revealed that they are willing to negotiate the sale of Felipe Melo to Arsenal, but not without Emmanuel Eboue being involved in a potential swap deal.

The Brazilian international, who has been strongly linked with the Gunners, put pen to paper on a contract extension at the Viola on June 30.

With a buy-out clause, of around €25million (£21.4m), included in Melo’s new deal, recent reports have suggested Juventus being the only club that could match the fee.

But, Fiorentina have claimed that Premier League side Arsenal remain the only side to have made an offer that comes close to activating the midfielder’s sale clause.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “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 €25million. 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.”

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