Arsenal look close to winning the race for in-demand Fiorentina striker.
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Arsenal look close to making their first major signing of the summer after appearing to win the race for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic.
The Gunners have been pursuing the Montenegro international for the last few months and looked favourites to sign him for around £15million before Juventus also expressed an interest.
Fiorentina were keen not to sell their prized asset to a Serie A rival, but the Italian champions were said to be offering £25million for the 23-year-old, forcing Arsenal to up their offer.
Arsene Wenger is not known for spending vast amounts of money in the transfer market, and was not keen on matching Juventus’ offer, switching his attention to alternative targets such as Gonzalo Higuain.
However, it appears that Higuain is also a target for Juve, and they have cooled their interest in Jovetic in the last few days, leaving Arsenal to return with a £22million offer, which is understood to have been accepted by Fiorentina.
Manchester City and Chelsea have also shown an interest in the talented striker in the past, and he has previously admitted the interest in him from top English clubs is flattering.
A few personal terms still need to be agreed, but Jovetic looks likely to become the second signing of the summer at the Emirates Stadium, after the North London side also snapped up Auxerre youngster Yaya Sanogo.
The big-name signing of Jovetic will be a much-needed boost for Arsenal after eight years without silverware, and with the need for more quality upfront following last summer’s shock sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United.
The Dutchman was replaced by Wenger with Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, though the two attackers struggled for consistency in their first seasons in English football, and with the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner set to leave the club this summer following loan spells this season, the team were short of depth in the striker department.
The likes of David Villa and Christian Benteke had also been linked with moves to Arsenal this summer, but Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Jovetic’s all-round ability, with his quality hold-up play and passing as well as finishing ability.
The former Partizan Belgrade player scored 12 times in 30 appearances in Serie A this season, making him one of the most sought-after talents in the league.
And he could be joined by more big names at Arsenal this summer, with Wenger reportedly plotting a busy summer, targeting the likes of Julio Cesar of Queens Park Rangers and Valencia’s Adil Rami.