Arsenal target Michael Kayode will not be sold by Fiorentina for less than €30m (£25m), according to the Corriere Dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper says there is “new” interest from clubs in England, although they don’t say which team specifically has made an approach.
Reacting to the report, though, Calciomercato.com name the Gunners as Kayode’s most likely suitor. They claim that Mikel Arteta’s side have been “courting” the fullback for “several months”.
Fiorentina are not believed to be in a rush to sell the 20-year-old and the high asking price is really designed to ward off potential suitors, including Arsenal.
What do fans need to know about Kayode?
The defender is an Italian of Nigerian descent. He came through the academy of Juventus before making his senior debut on loan at Gozzano, who play in Serie D – Italy’s fourth tier.
Kayode then joined Fiorentina in the summer of 2021 but it took him two years to make his first-team breakthrough. He started the first game of last season against Genoa and he hasn’t really looked back from there, making 37 appearances for the Viola in total.
He is a right-back but he can also be deployed further up the pitch as a wingback if needed. Considering the Gunners already have the likes of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber who can play in that position, it would be a surprise if they made a move for him this summer.
The defender has been on Arsenal’s radar for a while
It is believed that the Kayode was first scouted back in October, with reports claiming that the London club had observers in the stands when Fiorentina played Cagliari.
They would have been impressed by what they saw from the Italian Under 21 international, who provided an assist for his team’s second goal in a 3-0 victory.
