Fiorentina claim Arsenal are in pole position to sign Felipe Melo, providing Gunners full back Emmanuel Eboue moves in the opposite direction. The Italian outfit's transfer chief Pantaleo Corvino, explained: "The director [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 the right back Eboue."

The release clause is thought to be in the region of £21million.