Juventus will ‘do everything’ they can to try and sell Arthur Melo during the summer after Arsenal vetoed his transfer in January, despite Edu agreeing a deal to loan the midfielder.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who report the Bianconeri’s Champions League exit to Villarreal has reinforced the need for a revolution. Massimiliano Allegri’s side crashed out of Europe on Wednesday after a 3-0 last 16 defeat in Turin to Unai Emery’s La Liga outfit.
The Old Lady have already started the rebuild with the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic in January from Fiorentina. Yet club chiefs at the Allianz Stadium accept it cannot end with the striker and must reinvent the defensive line and midfield. But they need sales so they can spend.
Juventus are reluctant to let Weston McKennie leave without a substantial offer for the American. So, club chiefs will place Arthur and Adrien Rabiot in the shop window. They will also do whatever they can to ensure they, plus Aaron Ramsey, do not return next season.
Juventus will ‘do everything’ to sell Arthur after Arsenal vetoed Edu’s deal
Arthur has only held a limited role in Allegri’s plans since the Italian replaced Andrea Pirlo in charge last year. Yet the 21-cap Brazil star has enjoyed a more sufficient presence in the Bianconeri engine room since a potential move to north London fell through in January.
Allegri has started the £75m midfielder for four of his six Serie A outings since the winter market closed. He also opened the second-leg of their Champions League encounter with Villarreal and two Coppa Italia ties. So, Arthur has now opened a total 13 of his 25 games.
Arsenal explored benefiting from Allegri’s lack of faith in Arthur during the January window and discussed his transfer with Juventus. But The Athletic reported the Gunners hierarchy ultimately vetoed the deal after technical director Edu had agreed terms for a loan move.
Edu initially intended a short-term loan for the rest of the season, but Juve wanted an 18-month deal. The Arsenal chief and his counterpart in Turin, Federico Cherubini, eventually settled on an agreement until the summer of 2023 with a €40m (£33.5m) option to buy.
Mikel Arteta was also open to the deal as he sought to strengthen the Emirates Stadium engine room. But Arsenal’s hierarchy met Edu’s presentation with reluctance and chose against green-lighting Arthur’s transfer from Juventus, who are now desperate to sell him.
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