Report: Everton now in talks over 'incredible' midfielder Arsenal agreed personal terms with
Everton are reportedly in talks over Arthur Melo, a player Arsenal have been heavily linked with this year.
According to Tuttomercatoweb – via Sport Witness – the Toffees are negotiating with Juventus over a loan deal.
Apparently, these are ‘decisive hours’ for Arthur’s departure from the Serie A giants.
Juve are reportedly ‘working to define his exit’ so they can bring Leandro Paredes to the club.
As well as Everton, Sporting Lisbon are said to be in talks over the Brazil international.
Back in January, 90Min reported that Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Arthur ahead of a loan switch.
And though a move didn’t materialise back then, the Gunners are apparently still eyeing the 26-year-old.
Both Everton and Arsenal are seemingly eyeing reinforcements in midfield ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Arthur, meanwhile, is surplus to requirements at Juve, and they seem willing to let him go.
Indeed, they need to find a transfer solution for him ahead of signing Paredes.
This is good news for Everton and Arsenal (and Sporting) alike, as it means Arthur is fairly attainable.
Everton and Arsenal target Arthur Melo – factfile
Arthur has been at Juve since 2020, when he joined from Barcelona in a reported £68.4m deal.
He had been at Barca for two years, having linked up with them from Gremio in a reported £27.9m deal.
Arthur has made 63 appearances for Juve and 72 for Barca, as well as winning 22 Brazil caps.
Earlier this year, Eurosport wrote: “Arthur is a half-winger who focuses on possession and passes that start an attacking phase.
“He knows how to lower himself when receiving the ball, making him tough to intercept or tackle, and as a result he rarely loses possession.
“He has improved both in his long passing game and in his reading of the game without the ball.
“Arthur is a useful player if you want to lambada, not to go to war. Or rather, he can go to war, but he is certainly not temperamental.
“In possession he is devastating in all situations, in the sense that with the ball at his feet he does what he wants.
“In the phase of non-possession, he needs a system that helps him, as he is not particularly fast in the defensive transitions.”
Lionel Messi compared the Brazilian to Xavi, Andres Iniesta called him “exceptional”, and Thomas Vermaelen said he’s “incredible”.
