Italy

Felipe Melo Agrees To Join Juventus - Report

Sky Sport Italia claims that there is an agreement in place for the Brazilian to join the Bianconeri, and all that is required to complete the move is for Juventus and Fiorentina to agree a transfer fee on Tuesday...

Jul 4, 2009 3:00:57 PM

Felipe Melo, Fiorentina's Brazilian midfielder (Grazia Neri)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Felipe Melo, Fiorentina's Brazilian midfielder (Grazia Neri)

Teams

Fiorentina star Felipe Melo could become a Juventus player as early as next week after the player’s agent reached an agreement with the Bianconeri, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Juventus are well known to be in the market for a top-class centre midfielder, and their primary target had been Udinese’s Gaetano D’Agostino. However, the failure to agree on a transfer fee has seen Juve look elsewhere for possible alternatives.

Sky Italia claims that Juventus have reached an agreement with the agents of Felipe Melo to sign the 25-year-old, who had an outstanding first season in Serie A after arriving from Almeria last summer.

Felipe Melo only recently signed a new contract with Fiorentina, but a release clause was inserted in the deal that says he can leave for €25 million.

Juventus and Fiorentina officials will meet on Tuesday to broker the deal, and the Bianconeri are certain to include Marco Marchionni, already close to the Viola, as part of the exchange in order to lower the cost. Zdenek Grygera and Michele Paolucci are also likely to be offered in the trade.

Should the transfer be confirmed, Felipe Melo will become the third Brazilian member of the Juventus line-up, along with Diego and Amauri.

Update 1510 CET: An official announcement in response to this story is expected from Fiorentina imminently.