Juventus are ready to accept a mammoth financial hit to sell midfielder Arthur Melo in the January transfer window amid interest from Newcastle United, according to Calciomercato.
Arthur only joined the Bianconeri from Barcelona in the summer of 2020, but has failed to live up to expectations. The relationship between the Brazilian and his Serie A side has now reached an all-time low, too, as Massimiliano Allegri omitted Arthur from his latest squad.
Allegri will ignore Arthur when Juventus visit Venezia on Saturday after he arrived late for training on Friday morning. The club consider the matter the straw that broke the camel’s back, amid growing bitterness between both parties.
Juventus ready to sell Arthur in January transfer window
Juventus look back on the €72m (£66m) transfer, rising €10m (£9m) with add-ons, to sign Arthur from Barcelona as an unsuccessful operation. The 25-year-old has only played 40 and started 21 games across all competitions so far in his Bianconeri career.
The Turin outfit will now look to sell the 21-cap international next month and are ready to lose millions. Juventus will demand €35m (£30m) for Arthur, and could grant a loan move.
But his exit is not a total financial catastrophe for Juventus, as Arthur effectively joined in exchange for Miralem Pjanic. The Bosnian joined Barcelona for an initial €60m (£55m).
Arthur has admirers across Europe with Lazio, Sevilla and Freiburg paying close attention to developments. Newcastle would also like to sign Arthur from Juventus, per La Repubblica.
Newcastle want Arthur transfer with Juventus exit likely
According to La Repubblica, Newcastle would like to sign Arthur in a January transfer as he is frustrated at Juventus. The Brazilian’s situation in Turin is thus making an exit very likely.
Of Arthur’s 40 Bianconeri outings, 32 came under Andrea Pirlo last season. Allegri has only played the £125k-a-week maestro a mere eight times, starting only two, so far this term.
His only Serie A start of the campaign also came in his last appearance at Hellas Verona on October 30. He also started against Malmo in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
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