Arsenal in talks with Fiorentina over £25m-rated striker Stevan Jovetic

Arsenal have taken a big step towards signing top summer transfer target Stevan Jovetic after opening talks with Fiorentina.

The news emerges as manager Arsene Wenger admitted he is ‘afraid’ of Chelsea’s planned summer splurge.

The Gunners have watched Jovetic, 23, since 2011 and while the Serie A club value him at around £25million, Arsenal — who have around £70m to spend — are determined to agree a lower fee.

Jovetic, 23, has scored 12 times in Serie A this season. He arrived in Florence in an £8m transfer from Serbian side Partizan Belgrade five years ago.

Jovetic has made it clear he not only wants to play in the Premier League but favours Arsenal.

Wenger, also looking to sign a new first-choice goalkeeper, has tracked Hamburg’s Rene Adler since March.

Wenger told Eurosport: ‘I’m afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer. We have to be prepared for them to be one of the biggest movers in terms of investment.’