Stevan Jovetic
Stevan Jovetic has scored 10 goals in his 28 appearances for Montenegro. Reuters

Fiorentina have claimed that there is no interest from Arsenal in their Montenegrin forward Stevan Jovetic. The comments from the Viola’s sporting director are contrary to widespread reports in the British press that Arsenal are deep in negotiations for the 23-year-old. Indeed, the Daily Mirror has reported that Arsene Wenger has held talks with the Serie A club, but has been deterred by the quoting of a £30 million valuation.

Yet there is a different story emerging from Italy. “I don’t believe that Jovetic interests Arsenal,” Daniele Prade told Italian broadcaster RAI. “We have had no contact with them.”

It does appear, though, that Jovetic will be moving on this summer. Fiorentina president Andrea Della Valle has revealed that Jovetic has flown off for international duty with his future now in his own hands. “If he wants to look elsewhere, he has my promise from a year ago that he is free to do so,” he said, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The report claims that Jovetic is keen to stay in Italy and join long-time suitors Juventus. And Della Valle stated that they will not prevent the player from joining their domestic rivals. Notably, when discussing alternative destinations, the club’s co-owner names Manchester and Liverpool, but not Arsenal.

So it may well be that Arsenal have turned their attentions elsewhere in their search of a top level striker this summer. It appears that the Gunners are already making moves for one of their alternatives, Gonzalo Higuain. The Daily Mirror reports that Wenger has already met with Real Madrid representatives to discuss the possibility of a transfer for the Argentina striker. Last week the club revealed that Higuain is set to leave the club this summer. A £19 million offer may be sufficient for the 25-year-old who has been on Wenger’s radar since his days at River Plate, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Mirror also ventures that Napoli’s Edinson Cavani may still be an option for Arsenal. The Uruguayan, who finished the season as top scorer in Serie A, was talked about in glowing terms by Wenger back in January. And, while a move was ruled out then, with Arsenal having money to spend this summer, a deal for Cavani would be a major signal of intent.

The recent resignation of Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri only increases the chances that Cavani will be on the move this summer. However, a transfer to Arsenal is extremely unlikely. Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis revealed last August that he rejected a €55 million (£46m) offer for Cavani before inserting a buyout clause of €63 million (£53m) in his new contract. Despite their recent boost in their transfer funds, such figures -- not to mention his likely high salary -- are almost certain to be beyond Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal look set to miss out on one of their goalkeeping targets this summer. Highly rated young Germany international Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been linked as Wenger looks to strengthen his options between the posts next season. Yet, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reports that the 21-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach star has said “no thanks” to both Arsenal and Inter Milan as he has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

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