Juventus will test Arsene Wenger's desire to sign Felipe Melo by
insisting on an Arsenal star in exchange.
The Gunners boss admits he is still interested in Melo, who he
failed to land when the Brazil midfielder left Fiorentina for Juve
in a players plus cash deal worth £21million.
The Turin giants would be open to a deal, but are eyeing at
least one of Robin van Persie, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna as part
of any transfer.
Arsenal target: Felipe Melo (left) has struggled to
settle at Juventus
Wenger is likely to resist a raid for the first-team trio,
though in the summer he was willing to offer Fiorentina Emmanuel
Eboue as part of a total package worth £18m.
Juve are unlikely to recoup what they paid for the 26-year-old.
Melo has been disappointing and part of a criticised Brazilian trio
alongside Diego and Amauri at the underachieving Serie A side.
Swap deal: Juventus want Arsenal star Robin van
Persie (left)
Nonetheless, Melo continues to perform well at international
level and Wenger watched him play in the Brazil side that beat the
Republic of Ireland 2-0 at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on
Tuesday.
'We were interested in Melo during the summer,' said Wenger
earlier this week. 'We still think he is a very talented player and
with Gilberto Silva, Brazil have a very useful pair in midfield. We
are still looking at Melo.'
Flying full backs: Arsenal's Bacary Sagna (left)
and Gael Clichy
Juventus have lined up Sporting Lisbon's Miguel Veloso as a
replacement, but the Portugal midfielder is highly coveted.
Nani has urged Manchester United to complete a deal for the
23-year-old amid reports linking him to Chelsea, Arsenal and
Manchester City.
