Transfer Centre

Fiorentina 'to win race to sign Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 15 July 2023

Fiorentina are reportedly on the brink of winning the race to sign Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo ahead of a number of Premier League clubs.

Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo is reportedly closing in on a transfer to Fiorentina.

Last summer, Juventus allowed the Brazil international to link up with Liverpool on a season-long loan deal, with the Premier League giants possessing the option to complete a permanent move in 2023.

However, Arthur would make just one substitute appearance soon after his arrival at Anfield, a lack of match fitness being followed by a thigh injury which resulted in several months on the sidelines.

When the 26-year-old returned to fitness, he remained down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp, it becoming a foregone conclusion that he would return to Turin.

Juventus are currently pushing to part ways with a number of unwanted big-earners, with Arthur included on that list, but the former Barcelona man has allegedly still attracted plenty of attention.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on May 20, 2023. © Reuters

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with Arthur on more than one occasion, while Crystal Palace have also been monitoring the situation as they bid to improve their own midfield ranks.

Arthur is also said to have a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia on the table, yet it appears that he has opted to continue his career in Italy.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Fiorentina are in advanced negotiations with Juventus regarding a season-long loan agreement.

The Europa Conference League runners-up would possess the option to buy Arthur at the end of 2023-24, with Juventus also covering a portion of his wages for the upcoming campaign.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano on May 24, 2023 © Reuters

If Arthur completes a switch to Florence, it would provide him with the opportunity to put together a run of matches having made just 34 starts in all competitions since September 2020.

Juventus are hopeful that Arthur's exit will be the first of several midfield departures with Denis Zakaria and Weston McKennie - who also had loan spells in the Premier League last season - available for transfer.

From the perspective of Fiorentina, Vincenzo Italiano is attempting to put together a squad capable of breaking back into the top seven in Serie A, as well as responding to the disappointment of losing finals in Europa and the Coppa Italia.

Furthermore, key midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is expected to leave I Viola before the end of the summer transfer window, and the acquisition of Arthur would help fill the likely void in the squad.