The Gunners are said to have rekindled their interest in signing Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, reports TuttoMercatoWeb. Both the clubs are said to be struggling to agree on the market value of the Brazilian international with the Turin based side expecting around 40 million euros for the player.
However, Arsenal believe that the former Barcelona star, who joined Juve for 76 million two years ago, should cost them no more than 25 million. Notably, the 25-year-old is currently valued at 20 million by Transfermarkt.
Although this seems to be an issue, the report states that an agreement will eventually be found. The general belief is that a compromise could be reached around 30-35 million. Alternatively, the Bianconeri are open to accepting an initial loan deal.
Arthur was the subject of transfer interest from Mikel Arteta’s side in the winter transfer window with the Gunners wanting to take him on loan for six months, an idea that was quickly dismissed by Juventus. The Serie A giants, on their part, wanted a longer loan deal for the Brazilian with an obligation to buy.
The central midfielder has a contract until 2025 in Turin, and Juventus are said to be still assessing his on whether to let him go or keep him next season. As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arthur’s stay in Allianz Stadium will highly depend on the Old Lady’s market moves.
If the Bianconeri opt to sign a mezzalla like Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the Brazilian would stay. However, should Allegri decide to grab another regista in Chelsea’s Jorginho, then Arthur will be sold.
The box-to-box midfielder joined Juve from Barca in the summer of 2020 but has so far failed to stamp his authority on the Bianconeri midfield. Having just started 11 of his side’s 36 Serie A games, it is being reported that the Brazilian is pushing to leave Allianz Stadium due to lack of game time under Massimiliano Allegri this season.
The Gunners, meanwhile, have also set their eyes on other targets if this deal fails to materialise. The club hierarchy, as reported by SunSport, are confident of signing Leicester’s Youri Tielemans. AS Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni is also said to be on Arteta’s radar.
