Arsenal are reportedly set to renew their interest in Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo after failing to sign him during the January transfer window.
Juventus are planning an overhaul in the summer after their shock Champions League elimination at the hands of Villarreal last week and the Brazilian midfielder is one of the prominent names likely to be shown the door.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal are ready to make a fresh move for Arthur Melo, as Mikel Arteta eyes reinforcements.
Arthur, 25, has failed to cement a place in the Juventus starting XI since his move from Barcelona a few years ago. He was considered a rising star following a series of outstanding displays in Spain, and he was expected to replicate that form for the Turin giants.
However, things haven’t worked out for the Selecao star in Italy and a lack of regular game time coupled with a dip in form has lowered his value in recent seasons. But Mikel Arteta seems to have identified Arthur as a potential summer target and wants the Gunners to try again for his signing.
Arthur Melo to Arsenal – Ideal partner for Partey?
Arsenal continue to find themselves in the driver’s seat in the race to finish in the top-four in the Premier League. They secured a massive 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, with Arteta’s side bouncing back straight away from the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Juventus star Arthur Melo – after failing to agree a deal for him in January pic.twitter.com/nIM8nWfGwY
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The Gunners have made vast improvements in the last couple of months and Arteta would want to elevate the quality of his squad to the next level. The north Londoners could do with a central midfielder. While Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have impressive, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny have often flattered to deceive.
Beyond the growing partnership of Partey and Xhaka, Arsenal have very little top-quality depth in midfield, which makes reinforcing the specific position a no-brainer. Thus, the Gunners’ interest in Arthur Melo makes total sense.
Arthur had started only four Serie A games for Juventus this season until the start of February. Things have changed of late, however, with the central midfielder starting all the last four games and helping Max Allegri’s side to fourth in the table.
The Brazilian international is approaching the best years of his career and a move to Arsenal at the end of the season could just be ideal.
Despite playing very little this season, he has been a tidy performer at the heart of the Juventus midfield based on his average of 1.3 tackles, 0.4 interceptions, 0.4 clearances, 0.1 shots and 0.3 key passes per game in Serie A. The 25-year-old has been brilliant when distributing the ball from midfield, as evidenced by the 90.5% pass success rate and 2.2 long balls per game. (Stats courtesy: whoscored.com)
Arthur could be the perfect partner for Partey in the Arsenal midfield, with the latter tasked to sit and screen the defence while allowing the diminutive Brazilian to spray passes. The ex-Barcelona man would instantly improve the Gunners’ quality in midfield, whilst adding much-needed squad depth.
All in all, Arsenal must continue their squad rebuild with the signing of Arthur.