Fiorentina have confirmed Arsenal interest for wing-back Felipe Melo. The Brazilian only moved to Florence in the summer from Almeria, but is already attracting serious interest from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Fiorentina chief Pantaleo Corvino revealed: "We know that the manager of Arsenal is following Felipe. The boy is proving game after game that he is a very important player for us.

"He will have a bright future at Fiorentina and has a contract until 2013. Any talk of leaving is closed."