Liverpool’s late move for Juventus’ Arthur Melo: A stop-gap in midfield
By James Pearce
It was after midnight on Wednesday when Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward made the approach to Juventus for Arthur Melo.
A couple of hours earlier, Jurgen Klopp’s side had beaten Newcastle United 2-1 courtesy of Fabio Carvalho’s dramatic late winner at Anfield. However, the manager’s sense of joy had been tempered by the news that captain Jordan Henderson had damaged his hamstring.
That proved to be the trigger for Liverpool to finally bolster their depleted midfield department. Klopp, Ward and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon were in full agreement. Sitting tight was no longer an option.
Having been unable to agree a deal for one of their long-term targets and with the transfer deadline fast approaching, Liverpool ultimately pursued what is essentially a stop-gap signing.
The Brazil international has arrived on a season-long loan. With the 26-year-old surplus to requirements under Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus keen to get him off their wage bill, it wasn’t a difficult agreement to thrash out.
Juventus released a statement late on Thursday revealing that the loan fee for Arthur is €4.5 million and Liverpool will have the option to buy him for €37.5 million next summer. He will have to make some impact to justify that kind of outlay. Earlier in the day sources had indicated that the deal was set to be a straight loan with no option to make the arrangement permanent.
Arthur, who had attracted interest from Valencia and Sporting among others, needed little convincing about making the move to Anfield.
He knows Liverpool trio Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino well from national team duties and believes this is the fresh start he needs to reinvigorate his career. He’s excited about the opportunity to play for Klopp and is desperate to use this stage to get regular action and secure his place in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Things moved fast. By 10am on Thursday, Arthur was on a private plane with his agent Federico Pastorello heading from Turin to the UK to undergo his medical. Despite not featuring for Juventus so far this season, sources close to the player insist he is fit and ready to play.
It’s not the booming statement of intent many supporters were hoping for ahead of the window closing, but it’s been clear for some time that the owners were reluctant to spend a significant sum now given that Liverpool’s primary midfield targets were not available in this window.
It’s been a hot topic of debate since Liverpool lost out to Real Madrid in the race to buy deep-lying playmaker Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco in June. Initially, Klopp ruled out pursuing an alternative and was adamant he was happy to embark on this season with the options already at his disposal.
Jude Bellingham tops his wish-list but Borussia Dortmund were never going to sell him this summer having already lost Erling Haaland to Manchester City. Liverpool hope to sign the £100million-rated ($115.4m) England international next year.
An injury crisis led to a change of heart from Klopp about the need to make a signing as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Thiago and Naby Keita all pulled up in quick succession. However, the manager also made the point publicly that he doesn’t hold the purse strings. He insisted he felt backed sufficiently by the owners but admitted: “From time to time I would risk a bit more, but I don’t decide.”
In the past week, Liverpool inquired about Austria international Konrad Laimer, who is down to the final year of his contract, but RB Leipzig were reluctant to lose him so close to the deadline.
The situation eased somewhat with Jones returning to the fold this week, but with fears that Henderson will be sidelined until after the international break, Liverpool simply couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Fabinho, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho, James Milner, Jones and academy teenager Stefan Bajcetic would have been the only available midfielders.
They were crying out for cover with an injection of quality and experience, especially given the fact Liverpool face five games in the space of 15 days this month and then nine in the space of 28 days in October.
The last time the club acted in haste towards the end of a transfer window it didn’t pay off. Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies were cheap options to help ease a centre-back crisis in January 2021 with a deal for Ibrahima Konate already in the pipeline for that summer. Neither looked the part with Liverpool deciding not to trigger their option to buy Kabak following his loan from Schalke and Davies leaving for Rangers without ever making an appearance.
The difference with Arthur, who still has three years to run on his contract at Juventus, is that he has a much greater pedigree.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff view him as similar in profile to Thiago. He’s technically gifted, press resistant and comfortable in possession.
One criticism of him in Italy has been that he takes too many touches and is too conservative with his passing. He has also had injury problems of his own.
However, his CV is certainly impressive. We’re talking about a player who celebrated Copa Libertadores glory with Gremio in his homeland before sealing a €40million (£34.5m; $39.8m) move to Barcelona in 2018. Lionel Messi compared his style to that of Xavi, saying: “The one who always wants the ball, to play short, and not to lose it.”
Arthur won La Liga and helped Brazil triumph at the 2019 Copa America. National team boss Tite said: “He always finds the best escape, the best pass out.” After scoring four goals and contributing six assists in 72 games for Barcelona, he moved to Juventus in June 2020.
It was part of a swap deal with Miralem Pjanic going the other way in what was effectively a book-balancing exercise. Juventus agreed to pay €72million for Arthur over four instalments with a potential €10million to follow in add-ons. Pjanic went the other way for €60million over four instalments with potential add-ons worth €5million.
Juventus were able to book a €41.8million capital gain on Pjanic but on the pitch it didn’t work out for either club. Arthur boasts one goal and one assist in 63 matches for Juventus.
It didn’t help his period of adaptation in Turin that manager Maurizio Sarri was sacked just a month after he had arrived following defeat to Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League when football resumed during the pandemic.
Andrea Pirlo, who was promoted from the under-23s to the senior job, wanted to play Arthur and Manuel Locatelli together in midfield like Italy utilise Jorginho and Marco Verratti. However, Juventus couldn’t sign Locatelli until the summer of 2021 and Arthur either couldn’t seem to stay fit or last 90 minutes. The membrane between the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg was calcified.
There were still some bright moments in 2020-21, such as his performance in a 3-0 win away to Barcelona in the Champions League and in the Super Cup victory over Napoli. But he was also responsible for a square ball across his own box which enabled Benevento to inflict a humiliating home defeat. He was left out of the squad for the Turin derby after he breached COVID-19 rules by going for dinner at the house of team-mate Weston McKennie.
Pirlo turned things around to finish fourth but lifting the Super Cup and the Coppa Italia wasn’t enough for chairman Andrea Agnelli, who sacked the manager and brought back Allegri in May 2021. Arthur underwent surgery to remove the calcification and was out for three months.
On his return he only made 11 league starts in 2021-22 with Allegri wanting his midfield to be more robust, underlined by the signing of Denis Zakaria. The feeling was that Arthur slowed the game down too much. There were no give and goes to get into the box.
Out of favour, his agent started to look for a move for him in January and there was serious interest from Arsenal. Earlier this summer, there were talks with Valencia and Sporting were also keen as he weighed up his options. But he hasn’t played competitive football since May.
Some Juventus fans are scratching their heads, thinking he can’t be that bad if Klopp and Liverpool want him. Was he just not the right fit for Allegri’s style? Did he just fail to get the best out him?
Others believe he had his chance, didn’t take it and that the new Juventus midfield with Paul Pogba, Fabio Miretti, Daniel Paredes and Locatelli promises far more.
Either way, Arthur has played with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s gone from Barcelona to Juventus to Anfield. He’s no mug.
The burning question is how quickly can he adapt to the intensity of the Premier League? Can he stay fit and stake a serious claim to remain on Merseyside beyond this season?
Financially, it’s a low risk deal for Liverpool, but given the issues in midfield, it’s one that they desperately need to come off.
https://theathletic.com/3558910/2022/09/01/liverpool-arthur-melo-juventus-late/
Liverpool’s late move for Juventus’ Arthur Melo: A stop-gap in midfield
By James Pearce
It was after midnight on Wednesday when Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward made the approach to Juventus for Arthur Melo.
A couple of hours earlier, Jurgen Klopp’s side had beaten Newcastle United 2-1 courtesy of Fabio Carvalho’s dramatic late winner at Anfield. However, the manager’s sense of joy had been tempered by the news that captain Jordan Henderson had damaged his hamstring.
That proved to be the trigger for Liverpool to finally bolster their depleted midfield department. Klopp, Ward and Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon were in full agreement. Sitting tight was no longer an option.
Having been unable to agree a deal for one of their long-term targets and with the transfer deadline fast approaching, Liverpool ultimately pursued what is essentially a stop-gap signing.
The Brazil international has arrived on a season-long loan. With the 26-year-old surplus to requirements under Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus keen to get him off their wage bill, it wasn’t a difficult agreement to thrash out.
Juventus released a statement late on Thursday revealing that the loan fee for Arthur is €4.5 million and Liverpool will have the option to buy him for €37.5 million next summer. He will have to make some impact to justify that kind of outlay. Earlier in the day sources had indicated that the deal was set to be a straight loan with no option to make the arrangement permanent.
Arthur, who had attracted interest from Valencia and Sporting among others, needed little convincing about making the move to Anfield.
He knows Liverpool trio Alisson, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino well from national team duties and believes this is the fresh start he needs to reinvigorate his career. He’s excited about the opportunity to play for Klopp and is desperate to use this stage to get regular action and secure his place in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Things moved fast. By 10am on Thursday, Arthur was on a private plane with his agent Federico Pastorello heading from Turin to the UK to undergo his medical. Despite not featuring for Juventus so far this season, sources close to the player insist he is fit and ready to play.
It’s not the booming statement of intent many supporters were hoping for ahead of the window closing, but it’s been clear for some time that the owners were reluctant to spend a significant sum now given that Liverpool’s primary midfield targets were not available in this window.
It’s been a hot topic of debate since Liverpool lost out to Real Madrid in the race to buy deep-lying playmaker Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco in June. Initially, Klopp ruled out pursuing an alternative and was adamant he was happy to embark on this season with the options already at his disposal.
Jude Bellingham tops his wish-list but Borussia Dortmund were never going to sell him this summer having already lost Erling Haaland to Manchester City. Liverpool hope to sign the £100million-rated ($115.4m) England international next year.
An injury crisis led to a change of heart from Klopp about the need to make a signing as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Thiago and Naby Keita all pulled up in quick succession. However, the manager also made the point publicly that he doesn’t hold the purse strings. He insisted he felt backed sufficiently by the owners but admitted: “From time to time I would risk a bit more, but I don’t decide.”
In the past week, Liverpool inquired about Austria international Konrad Laimer, who is down to the final year of his contract, but RB Leipzig were reluctant to lose him so close to the deadline.
The situation eased somewhat with Jones returning to the fold this week, but with fears that Henderson will be sidelined until after the international break, Liverpool simply couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Fabinho, Harvey Elliott, Fabio Carvalho, James Milner, Jones and academy teenager Stefan Bajcetic would have been the only available midfielders.
They were crying out for cover with an injection of quality and experience, especially given the fact Liverpool face five games in the space of 15 days this month and then nine in the space of 28 days in October.
The last time the club acted in haste towards the end of a transfer window it didn’t pay off. Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies were cheap options to help ease a centre-back crisis in January 2021 with a deal for Ibrahima Konate already in the pipeline for that summer. Neither looked the part with Liverpool deciding not to trigger their option to buy Kabak following his loan from Schalke and Davies leaving for Rangers without ever making an appearance.
The difference with Arthur, who still has three years to run on his contract at Juventus, is that he has a much greater pedigree.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff view him as similar in profile to Thiago. He’s technically gifted, press resistant and comfortable in possession.
One criticism of him in Italy has been that he takes too many touches and is too conservative with his passing. He has also had injury problems of his own.
However, his CV is certainly impressive. We’re talking about a player who celebrated Copa Libertadores glory with Gremio in his homeland before sealing a €40million (£34.5m; $39.8m) move to Barcelona in 2018. Lionel Messi compared his style to that of Xavi, saying: “The one who always wants the ball, to play short, and not to lose it.”
Arthur won La Liga and helped Brazil triumph at the 2019 Copa America. National team boss Tite said: “He always finds the best escape, the best pass out.” After scoring four goals and contributing six assists in 72 games for Barcelona, he moved to Juventus in June 2020.
It was part of a swap deal with Miralem Pjanic going the other way in what was effectively a book-balancing exercise. Juventus agreed to pay €72million for Arthur over four instalments with a potential €10million to follow in add-ons. Pjanic went the other way for €60million over four instalments with potential add-ons worth €5million.
Juventus were able to book a €41.8million capital gain on Pjanic but on the pitch it didn’t work out for either club. Arthur boasts one goal and one assist in 63 matches for Juventus.
It didn’t help his period of adaptation in Turin that manager Maurizio Sarri was sacked just a month after he had arrived following defeat to Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League when football resumed during the pandemic.
Andrea Pirlo, who was promoted from the under-23s to the senior job, wanted to play Arthur and Manuel Locatelli together in midfield like Italy utilise Jorginho and Marco Verratti. However, Juventus couldn’t sign Locatelli until the summer of 2021 and Arthur either couldn’t seem to stay fit or last 90 minutes. The membrane between the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg was calcified.
There were still some bright moments in 2020-21, such as his performance in a 3-0 win away to Barcelona in the Champions League and in the Super Cup victory over Napoli. But he was also responsible for a square ball across his own box which enabled Benevento to inflict a humiliating home defeat. He was left out of the squad for the Turin derby after he breached COVID-19 rules by going for dinner at the house of team-mate Weston McKennie.
Pirlo turned things around to finish fourth but lifting the Super Cup and the Coppa Italia wasn’t enough for chairman Andrea Agnelli, who sacked the manager and brought back Allegri in May 2021. Arthur underwent surgery to remove the calcification and was out for three months.
On his return he only made 11 league starts in 2021-22 with Allegri wanting his midfield to be more robust, underlined by the signing of Denis Zakaria. The feeling was that Arthur slowed the game down too much. There were no give and goes to get into the box.
Out of favour, his agent started to look for a move for him in January and there was serious interest from Arsenal. Earlier this summer, there were talks with Valencia and Sporting were also keen as he weighed up his options. But he hasn’t played competitive football since May.
Some Juventus fans are scratching their heads, thinking he can’t be that bad if Klopp and Liverpool want him. Was he just not the right fit for Allegri’s style? Did he just fail to get the best out him?
Others believe he had his chance, didn’t take it and that the new Juventus midfield with Paul Pogba, Fabio Miretti, Daniel Paredes and Locatelli promises far more.
Either way, Arthur has played with Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s gone from Barcelona to Juventus to Anfield. He’s no mug.
The burning question is how quickly can he adapt to the intensity of the Premier League? Can he stay fit and stake a serious claim to remain on Merseyside beyond this season?
Financially, it’s a low risk deal for Liverpool, but given the issues in midfield, it’s one that they desperately need to come off.
https://theathletic.com/3558910/2022/09/01/liverpool-arthur-melo-juventus-late/
