Melo heads to Juve as Marchionni agrees Viola deal

Juventus winger Marco Marchionni has agreed to join Fiorentina in a move that will allow highly-rated Brazilian Felipe Melo to head in the opposite direction in a cash plus player deal.

Empics

Brazil international Felipe Melo (L) with the Confederations Cup. And Gilberto.

Juventus will hand over Marchionni and €21m to La Viola to secure the services of defensive midfielder Melo on a five-year contract.

Melo, who was also a target for Premier League club Arsenal, had an impressive season for Fiorentina and was a key figure in Brazil's triumph at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The 26-year-old will link up with compatriots Amauri and Diego - a €24.5m summer signing for Werder Bremen - in Turin.

The swap deal was originally expected to be completed on Wednesday, but transfer talks stalled over Marchionni's salary demands.

But on Thursday the Italy international's agent Bruno Carpeggiani said: "The situation has been unlocked, the player has accepted the offer from Fiorentina and is married to the Viola project.

"Official confirmation? We can say that it will arrive in a matter of hours."

Marchionni, 28, added: "Florence was always my first choice."