Arsenal strengthen their position in chase for Montolivo

Posted Friday, October 28, 2011 by Footie-online.co.uk

Last week we reported on Arsenal transfer target, Ricardo Montolivo, attracting the attention of AC Milan as well as Manchester United and now reports from Italy suggest that Arsenal have stolen the lead on both clubs for signing Fiorentina’s holding midfielder.

Montolivo is out of contract in the summer and the 26 year old who joined Fiorentina back in 2005 first attracted the interest of Arsenal last month.

It was thought that AC Milan’s interest would put them in the driving seat to sign Montolivo, who Fiorentina are resigned to losing in the summer. However, according to the latest news coming out of Italy, the 26 year old is keen play in the Premier League and prefers London to Manchester.

Thus strengthening the chances of Arsenal being able to sign the 26 year old and setting up the possibility of the Gunners coming to an agreement with the player in January – to join at the end of the season.

Fiorentina on the other hand will be hopeful that they will be able to offload Montolivo in January for a cut price sum, rather than lose him on a Bosman, once his contract expires next June.