Saturday 11 July 2009

[Mercato] Juve close on Melo deal

Juventus are optimistic of completing a deal to sign Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo next week.

Felipe MeloThe Brazil international, who had been linked with English Premier League club Arsenal, is set to move to Juventus, with Marco Marchionni expected to head in the opposite direction.

The deal had appeared close to falling through when Marchionni initially struggled to agree personal terms with the Viola, but Juventus President Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is upbeat about the prospects of finalising the transfer.


"I hope he can come to Pinzolo (Juve's pre-season training camp)," Cobolli Gigli told Sky Sport 24.

"That would mean that the negotiations would be done fast. Our relations with Fiorentina are very good. I am optimistic.

"But Melo's transfer will only be completed once the player signs the contract and I hope that will happen as soon as possible."

The 25-year-old Melo, who contracted to Fiorentina until 2013, arrived in Florence from Spanish side Almeria last summer.

After failing to agree a deal with Udinese for Gaetano D'Agostino, Juve are eager to sign Melo and it was reported earlier this week that they had offered cash plus Marchionni in order to meet the Viola midfielder's buy-out clause of £21.6million.

Meanwhile, Cobolli Gigil has revealed Pavel Nedved could form part of Ciro Ferrara's coaching staff at Stadio Olimpico.

Nedved, who announced his intention to retire at the end of last season, has reportedly been offered a two-year contract by Inter, but is set to stay in Turin.

Cobolli Gigli added: "I know that Ciro contacted Pavel to offer him a place in his staff.

"Nedved knows full well that the doors to Juve will always be open for him. We parted ways with great affection and for this reason I don't want to comment on the rumours he is negotiating with Inter.

"I do not wish to talk about that because I care too much about Pavel. I know he will make the best choice for himself and the Juventus fans."

Source: Sky Sports

No comments:

Post a Comment