According to The Athletic, Arsenal were offered the chance to sign Arthur Melo towards the end of the transfer window before his move to Liverpool.
The Brazilian has since joined the Reds on a loan deal with an option to buy, but the Liverpool ace could easily have ended up at the Emirates.
Arsenal had been linked with Arthur for quite some time – with a deal coming close back in January, but, for one reason or another, this is one that has never come to fruition.
It’s somewhat surprising to hear that Arsenal didn’t bit on Arthur. The terms of the loan Liverpool have agreed seem to be more than reasonable, while the Gunners certainly need a new midfielder after both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny went down with injuries.
Arthur would have been a great fit in Arsenal’s possession-based system, but Edu turned down the chance to bring him in towards the end of this summer.
Of course, Arsenal instead spent Deadline Day chasing a deal for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, but after multiple rejected bids on that front, Mikel Arteta wasn’t handed any midfield reinforcements.
Perhaps Arsenal will live to regret not moving for Arthur – especially if he shines at Liverpool, but with Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones all due back from injury soon, it’s not a given that the South American will actually get many minutes at Anfield.
A move to the Emirates could have been better for all parties in this situation, but, unfortunately for Arsenal, they’ve been left short in midfield while Arthur has joined one of their rivals.
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