Transfer Story
According to recent reports from The Sun, Manchester United are interested in bringing Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo to the Old Trafford. Arthur has impressed quite a few big clubs with his consistent displays for Gremio this season. There is a consensus that the Brazilian can move away to England and Jose is reportedly interested in this young lad.
Player Profile
Arthur Melo has risen through the ranks in Brazil and has garnered praise for his technical acumen. He is a very composed defensive midfielder who operates from deeper areas. Arthur can thwart attacks with his brilliant positional play and more often than not gives his side’s defence an added security layer.
He reads the game well and that helps him get into position quicker than the opponent. Moreover, he is confident with the ball at his feet and that helps him to initiate attacks. He can run the game from the centre of the park as his work ethic is commendable and he hardly ever switches off.
Arthur has made 1.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions on average in his 27 games in the Brasileiro. Melo has a staggering pass accuracy of 93.1%. The Brazilian rarely misplaces a pass in the middle of the park and that is a testament to his already developed gameplay.
Chances at Old Trafford
Though the lad is supremely talented and possesses the hunger to become one of the best defensive midfielders for years to come, he is certainly not the player that Manchester United should look to sign currently. The club had signed Nemanja Matic from Chelsea just ahead of the current season and hence it would not make sense to shell out big money for a player of a similar mould again.
The Sun has claimed that Arthur Melo will cost no less than 35 million pounds and the price tag seems too steep from Manchester United’s perspective as they seem to have more pressing issues elsewhere.
Moreover, Jose has Scott McTominay as another defensive midfielder in the squad. McTominay has impressed everyone with his performances whenever he has been handed a chance in the first team.
Ander Herrera has competently taken up the defensive midfielder’s role in the past and is quite capable of doing it again in the future. With Nemanja Matic at his peak and the likes of Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera already with the first team along with Fellaini, this deal doesn’t make too much sense at this moment.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored