NIGERIAN youngster Michael Kayode is on the verge ignoring the interest of Arsenal by extending his contract at Fiorentina, according to reports out of Italy.
Kayode’s agent Andrea Ritorni has stated that the teenage defender is not expected to leave Fiorentina anytime soon, despite rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal.
Kayode, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, is regarded as one of the European country’s most promising players having made made his Serie A debut in August against Genoa weeks after scoring the winner for Italy U-19s in a European Championship final against Portugal.
Arsenal scouts have reportedly been monitoring the versatile 19-year-old this season, but Fiorentina moved quickly to extend his contract until 2028.
The Serie A club confirmed Kayode had signed a new deal in October.
“His level of focus is out of the ordinary. He isolates himself and focuses on the game some seven or eight hours before kick-off,” his agent Ritorni told Radio Bruno, as quoted by Fiorentina.it.
“He learns quickly and he already plays as a veteran, in a simple way. He has a contract until 2028, so Fiorentina have tied him down.”
Kayode recently returned to action after being sidelined for several weeks by an ankle injury.
“He had already had problems with the same ankle during the [U-19] Euros, there there was that challenge against Cukaricki,” Ritorni said.
“He’s getting back in shape and he is already thinking about the game with Salernitana. Everyone loves him, he is a polite and available guy.”
Kayode has made 10 appearances across all competitions for Fiorentina this season, registering two assists, one in Serie A and one in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
