Arsene Wenger: We were interested in Felipe Melo last year and are still looking at him
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed the Gunners wanted to sign Felipo Melo last year, before the Brasilian International opted to join Juventus, in the Serie A. With the Turin side the 26-year old has had a nightmare of a season so far, failing to make an the impact he had with Fiorentina. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Wenger did highlight how the Brasilian has struggled to settle down with Juventus and that the Gunners are still keeping an eye on him.
He said:
We were interested in Melo last year. He has not had the season that everyone predicted he would. But we still think he is a very talented player. We are still looking at him.
Arsenal are set to be without 19-year old midfielder Aaron Ramsey for a year after the Welshman was stretchered off in last Saturday’s away game against Stoke City.
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I don’t think we will sign him…how is he any better than denilson? Juve have been regretting this move since they made it. He has disciplinary issues and i don’t see how he would fit our style of play. He is a TERRIBLE passer…and i’m talking about simple every game passes. I just don’t understand how the worst signing/player of the season in the serie a (voted on by italian fans and press) would improve our squad. If there’s anyone on that team that we should be looking at it is sissoko.
Craig86, if Melo is big headed then to hell with him. Arsenal players have no bad manners. They are well behaved.
i’m sorry i should clarify…i meant outside the club…there was an issue with him returning from brazil on time…granted when doesn’t a brazilian want to leave brazil?
yeah, a little unsure about this melo guy. but arsene never reveals who he’s really chasing – just the ones that got away or the ones that is on a ‘b’ list of sorts. this is just a red herring.
I bet we need felipe melo in our midfield, he can do it for us.
And we need some big headed players too I think
With present financial situation as it is in the EPL and extremely poor , even corrupt management, plus the greed of some owners there will be some bargins around this summer. A shrewd operator like Wenger will get for 12 million what City and the likes will be throwing 30 million at.
Myself ,I have the feeling it could be another disappointing summer for the `cash splashers`.
Wenger will be looking to promote from the reserve ranks next year, after all that`s what it`s all about. They`re a year older and a year wiser will be his ploy.
If he finds a striker of the kind he wants at the price he wants he will buy him but he won`t buy a striker at all costs just to please the fans. Same goes for a goalkeeper or mid-fielder.
From a players prospective he can either go for the fast buck and make hay whilst the sun shines or he can plug for the stability of Arsenal, if he`s given the chance.
Oh! yes, Melo….I think not.
i agree. and there’s no reason to. we are starting to get our players established as veterans, so why disillusion our youth players who we have already invested lots of time and money into. What’s the point in having the best youth academy if you’re not going to use it?
the only buy i could justify is a keeper, because we need a solid keeper with experience…youth won’t do as well in this position.
I agree too. I don’t see why AW would splash cash in the transfer market, excepted for world class talents like Eden Hazard who would have a value around £ 50 millions when they reach 25. He will get Chamackh for free…and don’t forget that there are players coming through who can grow in the holding midfield role, serving as cover for Song. Landsburry could fit in very well (ahead of Eastmond, imo). If wouldn’t speak about it to the press if he intended to sign Melo. By the way, we don’t need him.
We all know how Wenger is.He brought Henry from Juventus and turned him into one of the best strikers.If Wenger has faith in the player, then i am confident it will be a good move.
I AGREE – WELL SAID – MELO PERFORMED IN THE CONFED . HE WILL FIT INTO ARSENAL AS GILBERTO DID!
I didnt think he was that good in the confed. cup.
He looks like a proper “hardman” like vieira used to be for us but I dont think Id have him over diaby or song, both of whom are very strong and can make tackles like melo, but also attack with a lot more skill.
Our starting midfield 3 is sorted imo. Keep them together and we’ll be unstoppable in that dept. Obviously ramsey is a big miss and denilson isn’t looking so great right now, but eastmond is coming through nicely and there are others in reserve. It’s up to wenger whether we need more backup but I wouldnt be happy signing melo personally.
i don’t think melo isn’t a good option to have in our mid flied..we need to keep the 3midfliders
together & sign good stiker than this melo…
I agreed with craig86. there is no point in raising young players if we would not use them. But with the level of football in England now, we need experience player to compliment the effort of young gunners. Arrival of Sol had brought good thing to our defence especially when sir Galas injured. let us wait and see what wenger would do, he must know better than us being a team manager.
I don’t know how good will Melo fit in Arsenal style of play.
But we will see whether AW will take him in.
He is frequently seeing red… And I really think that AW should take this into consideration.
We need a strong player, thats a truth. But don’t you think we have a bit too much on Midfield players?
Nasri, Rosicky, Fabregas, Ramsey, Song, Diaby… All of them might get to play central.
Song has been impressive so far… So, I won’t see too much of urgency in taking in CDM…
Plus now Melo is having a contract with Juv and it certainly won’t be cheap to take him in.
For now, maybe AW should consider on the defense.
A reliable keeper perhaps….
What about Jack Wilshire….what are his chances of being as good as Ramsey by next season? I would have thought 2 goals in the Emirates cup against Rangers? not too shabby?
I hope Arsene and his scouts can identify some flair players during the upcoming World Cup. A goalkeeper, a central defence and a defensive midfielders. Just hope Arsenal can take examples of Chelsea and Man Utd on how they snapped Cech and Barthez so quickly after impressed in the recent World Cup. And they got lots of trophy with them in their teams after that. Sometimes Wenger should be quick in wrapping the deal of any players he wants, before other clubs snatch them in front or behind his eyes. Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, who admitted himself nearly joined Arsenal, only to Man Utd because of clubs relationship, and notably 3 – 4 mil bid (sorry that i can’t remember the actual amount) higher which Wenger refused to match.
i dont think wenger will sign him, but if wenger buys someone I will always be positive because its not often wenger gets it wrong in the transfer market. I heard we are after muhammed zidan?