By Chris Wright
You pays your money, you takes your choice
The Daily Mail reckon Juventus will let Felipe Melo join Arsenal in the summer but only if The Gunners sweeten the deal by allowing one of three players move in the opposite direction.
The Brazilian midfielder hasn’t enjoyed a vintage season in Turin since joining from Fiorentina for £21 million last summer and the Bianconeri are willing to cash in – but only if Arsenal throw Robin Van Persie, Gael Clichy or Bacary Sagna into the equation.
Now, Arsenal could do with a player in Melo’s mould – i.e, a decent defensive midfielder to compliment Fabregas – so if I were Arsene Wenger (and if this swap deal is actually on the table) then I would be sorely tempted to let Gael Clichy leave in return for the Brazilian.
Of the three, Clichy is definitely the most expendable to Arsenal as, when fit, Kieran Gibbs looks like a perfectly decent replacement for the French left back and Armand Traore could provide adequate cover when needed.
However, my tactic would be to melt a Viennetta over Emmanuel Eboue’s head and try to convince Juventus that he’s Bacary Sagna.