Arsenal now on pole for ‘exceptional’ £30m star, Edu’s been offered a deal

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Arsenal have stormed into pole position in the January transfer race for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo as his agent, Federico Pastorello, looks to please the Brazilian’s desire to leave.

That’s according to Calciomercato, who claim Pastorello is working to secure Arthur a move away from Turin. The 25-year-old has fallen out of favour at the Allianz Stadium this season following Massimiliano Allegri returning to the helm.

Allegri only started Arthur in three of the Bianconeri’s 19 Serie A fixtures before the winter break. He also opened just one of their Champions League group stage ties during their last at home to Malmo. So, altogether, he has amassed just 399-minutes over 10 appearances.

Juventus would, therefore, be happy if Arthur left the Allianz in January, even on loan. The hottest track also points to Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side now leading the transfer race.

The Gunners could tackle January with a heavily depleted engine room without a deal for Arthur. Arteta will lose Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey for the Africa Cup of Nations, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles could join Roma.

Arsenal may face £30m price tag for ‘exceptional’ Arthur transfer

Elneny and Partey’s temporary departures and any deal for Maitland-Niles will leave Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Charlie Patino as Arteta’s only available central options.

No wonder, then, that Duncan Castles suggested Juventus have offered Arsenal a chance to seal a January transfer for Arthur. And, seemingly, Gunners Technical Director Edu is set to accept the Bianconeri’s approach, for either a loan or permanent swoop.

But Arsenal may face a €35m (£30m) asking price to agree a permanent transfer for Arthur with Juventus, per Calciomercato. Half the €72m (£66m) plus €10m (£9m) in add-ons they paid Barcelona in 2020. He joined as part of Miralem Pjanic’s €60m (£55m) move to Spain.

Barcelona icon Andreas Iniesta was full of praise for Arthur during the Brazilian’s time at the Camp Nou. The Spain legend described him as ‘exceptional’ to Marca in 2019, and noted he can ‘control the pace, the ball [and] the situation’.