Premier League giants Arsenal have ‘re-started’ talks with Juventus’ Serie A midfielder Arthur Melo and personal terms have already been agreed, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
The £61 million Brazil international came within touching distance of a move to the Emirates Stadium a couple of months ago. And we know that for a fact.
His agent, the influential Federico Pastorello, confirmed as much earlier this week.
“In January, he was close to Arsenal,” Pastorello explains before suggesting that Arthur would benefit from a fresh start, having struggled to establish himself under Max Allegri.
“He is too important a player to be marginalised. He must also think about the national team (with the World Cup on the horizon).”
“Under (former Juve boss Maurizio) Sarri he would have played the Jorginho role. But while Allegri likes him, he wants two physical midfielders.”
Will Arsenal finally sign Arthur Melo from Juventus?
‘Physicality’ isn’t really Arthur’s strong point. The former Barcelona playmaker is just 5ft 7ins after all.
But what he lacks in power, he more than makes up for in technique. Described as a ‘sensational’ talent by former Italy and Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano, it not that long since Arthur was being tipped to replace the legendary Xavi at the heart of Barca’s midfield.
The 25-year-old has started just 11 Serie A games in 2021/22.
It seems unlikely that Juventus will stand in his way if Arsenal are willing to stump up a sizeable fee, though TMW believe that the 2017 Champions League finalists will ask for Gabriel Magalhaes – one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team-sheet – in exchange.
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Arsenal kick-started negotiations with Arthur’s camp in the last couple of days. TMW add that there is a Spanish club and at least two unnamed Premier League sides in pursuit.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue. Arthur metaphorically shook hands with Arteta back in January regarding the role he would play at the Emirates, with Arsenal willing to pay him £80,000-a-week plus bonuses.
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