Arsenal Bid £23.7m for Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic - Report

Arsenal have reportedly made a £23.7m bid for Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic. However, Tutto Mercato Web believes the Gunners will face strong competition from Serie A champions Juventus.

The report confirms club officials are expected to meet the player's agent to discuss a move to Turin. Unfortunately for Arsene Wenger, it is believed Jovetic would prefer a move to Juventus.

Arsene Wenger is believed to be a big fan of the Montenegrin international but has lined up alternatives, with wantaway Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain waiting in the wings. Reports indicate a £19m bid for the Argentina international is being readied.

Both Jovetic, 23, and Higuain, 25, have had good seasons with their clubs. The former has 13 goals and five assists from 31 league games and the latter 14 goals and five assists from 26 appearances.

Gibbs on Champions league Qualification

Meanwhile, left-back Kieran Gibbs has hailed the Gunners' character for their Champions League finish. The Emirates club overhauled north London rivals Tottenham for the second season in a row to finish in a Champions League spot.

Wenger's men closed the season with a 10 game unbeaten run, starting from a defeat to Spurs at the beginning of March.

"It was a test of the character that we have [passed] throughout the season really and in the end I think we deserved the win. It's massive to finish in the top four... we haven't actually properly qualified yet because we still have to play the play-off game," the England international told www.arsenal.com.

"We would have liked to have had a better season but overall you have to be happy with the way the team got back together after December. We showed real character, yet again, to come back and finish where we want to be," he told www.arsenal.com.

"We have played against the best and performed. Next season we have to focus on every detail and be professional in every single way so we give ourselves the best chance to produce something because we are desperate to get a trophy under our belts," Gibbs concluded.