Arsenal Receive Massive Boost in Race for £25m Forward

Arsenal have been boosted in their race to sign Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, with the Serie A club confirming that the player wants to leave the club for a "new experience" in the summer.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus have been linked with a move for the forward with the player believed to be inclined towards extending his stay in Italy with the Italian Champions. However, no club have yet been able to meet their valuation of £25m, with the Gunners unwilling to increase their initial bid of £20m for the forward. Fiorentina have also been informed about the interest in midfielder Adem Ljajic but the club's general manager Sandro Mencucci has stressed that the Serbian will extend his contract with the club

"Ljajic and Jovetic are two completely different situations, because Jovetic wants a new experience and we'll try to make him happy, but only if a suitable offer comes in. However, we want to renew Ljajic's contract and will see how that negotiation process evolves," Mencucci said in an interview.

The Gunners made the 23-year-old striker their prime target in the summer, with Arsene Wenger looking to bring his club back into winning ways by spending big when the transfer window opens on the 1<sup>st of July. The Frenchman is reported to have a £70m transfer kitty to spend in the summer and are looking to bring in a world class striker to improve their attack.

Arsenal are also keeping tabs on Real Madrid duo of Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain and are likely to step up their interest if they fail to land Jovetic. The Gunners are also keeping a close eye on David Villa's situation at Barcelona and are likely to make a bid for the forward if they fail in their attempt to sign any of their first choice targets. Tottenham are believed to be closing in on a deal for the forward, having already opened talks with Barcelona for the 31-year-old

Meanwhile, teammate and former Liverpool man Alberto Aquilani believes that the player leave the club in the summer, having had an agreement with Fiorentina that they will let him move if he stayed at the club for another year.

"I think at this point [Jovetic] is going to leave. Last year they promised if he stayed another season then he could choose his future. Aside from being a team-mate, he is also a great person who would do well at any club," Aquilani said in an interview..