Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo reportedly wants to rejoin Barcelona this summer if he leaves Juventus amid interest from Arsenal.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Arthur Melo will prefer to join Barcelona if he leaves Juventus in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old midfielder is also a target for Arsenal and AS Monaco, with the Bianconeri keen on cashing in on him ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Arthur Melo joined Juventus from Barcelona nearly two years ago, with Miralem Pjanic moving to Camp Nou in a separate deal, as the two clubs agreed to swap the midfielders. But the transfers have not panned out as envisioned for any of the four parties involved, with the players struggling to make their mark and the European heavyweights desperate to offload them.
The Brazilian international endured a forgettable 2021/22 season as he started only 16 of the 52 games that Juventus played, dropping down the pecking order for midfielders. And the Serie A giants are keen on selling Arthur this summer, with Arsenal hot on his heels. But the player will prefer to join Barcelona instead of any other suitor.
Recent reports have claimed that Barcelona might be considering re-signing Arthur this summer amid rampant uncertainties surrounding the future of Miralem Pjanic. In addition, the Catalan giants want to sell Frenkie de Jong to lighten the wage bill and register new signings.
Arthur could thus be a viable target for Barcelona, especially if Bernardo Silva remains untouchable at Manchester City. But Barcelona will have to fend off stiff competition from Arsenal to secure the services of the 25-year-old, even though the player wants to move back to Camp Nou in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal attempted to sign Arthur in the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialise. The Gunners are back in the equation this summer as their pursuit of Youri Tielemans has stalled. Widespread reports have suggested that Juventus might soon receive a formal bid from Arsenal, with the north Londoners stepping up their efforts to sign the Brazilian international.
But the latest developments will come as a blow for Arsenal, with the player preferring to return to Barcelona instead of moving to the Emirates. However, Barcelona will only be able to launch the offensive, if at all, once Frenkie de Jong leaves, meaning Arthur will have to bide his time. But time is what Arthur might not have, with Juventus keen on offloading him quickly.
