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Fiorentina eye up summer swoop for Arsenal duo

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Mikel Arteta Thomas Vermaelen Fiorentina are weighing up a double raid on Arsenal for Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen this summer.

The Serie A club managed to qualify for next season’s Europa League and are looking to improve their squad for both domestic and European competitions.

And talkSPORT.com says sources in Italy claim Fiorentina’s manager, Vincenzo Montella is eyeing up moves for Arteta and Vermaelen.

The Florence side believe they could do business with Arsenal for the duo as both players only have a year left on their existing contracts at the Emirates.

Vermaelen’s future has been in serious doubt for the last past year as the Belgian is now clearly Arsene Wenger’s third-choice centre-back behind both Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. While Arteta, 32, could be moved on if the Gunners manage to bring in another midfielder over the summer.

Both players could well be sold before the transfer window shuts in September, but should Wenger entertain any bids from Fiorentina for the pair?

Personally, although Vermaelen isn’t a starter, Wenger cannot afford to lose him unless he finds a suitable replacement. While Arteta’s experience in midfield is invaluable, the Spaniard’s legs look to have given up on him, and I just can’t see him starting as many games as he did this season.

Should good offers be tabled then I think Wenger has to consider them.

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