Last Updated: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:32
Midfielder Felipe Melo insists he does not want to move to Arsenal this summer because he is happy to stay in Italy with Fiorentina.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been a reported target of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger since the January transfer window after his impressive campaign in Serie A. But his hopes of snapping up Melo looked over when the former Cruzeiro star penned a new long-term contract with the Viola last week.
However a possible transfer was in the offing over the weekend when it was suggested the Viola would contemplate a swap deal involving Emmanuel Eboue. But Melo has put the block on that by insisting he has no intentions of leaving the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
"I come back to Italy when I end my holidays," he told Lancenet.com.br.
"I have a contract with Fiorentina in which it was written that should I have a good first season, the club would have the possibility to extend my contract automatically from five to six years.
"They utilised this clause and I am really happy.
"I owe Fiorentina a lot. I arrived and I immediately became a regular. I have never been on the bench."
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