Arsenal make new offer for £72m ace, completely change his contract

Follow us on Google Discover

Premier League giants Arsenal are changing tack as they look to lure Arthur Melo away from Serie A challengers Juventus, according to Tuttomercatoweb. 

It is a week now since the £72 million Brazil international said ‘yes’ to Arsenal.

Arthur has his heart set on securing a move to the Gunners before the month is out. So much so that he is ready to turn down offers from any other suitor. 

Yes, that includes you, Newcastle United.

The problem is, Juventus don’t seem capable of making their mind up. Can the Bianconeri afford to let him go? At a time when Aaron Ramsey is also on the market?

It’s not as if Allegri is overloaded with top-quality central midfielders after all. 

According to the all-seeing, all-knowing Fabrizio Romano, Juventus are unwilling to let Arthur depart until they have a successor in place.

With two-thirds of the transfer window consigned to history, beads of sweat are starting to form on Mikel Arteta’s forehead. Arsenal are now in a race against time.

Will Arsenal finally sign Arthur Melo from Juventus?

Perhaps that is why they appear to have changed tack, with February 1^st looming over the horizon.  

TMW claim that Arthur’s agent, the influential Federico Pastorello, was in London on Wednesday for talks with the Arsenal bosses.

Pastorello suggested that an 18-month loan deal, rather than a six-month one, may appeal to Juventus, especially with an option-to-buy clause included in Arthur’s contract. 

The former Barcelona playmaker was initially expected to join on what they call in Italy a ‘dry loan’. Put simply, this is a short-term loan deal without a purchase option.

Arsenal, after a few hours of deliberation, have decided to follow Pastorello’s advice. 

Whether a revamped offer is enough to twist Juventus’ arm, however, only time will tell.  

It is also uncertain what Ramsey’s seemingly imminent departure means for Arsenal’s hopes of luring Arthur to London. Ramsey, the former Gunners favourite, is closing in on a move to Crystal Palace.