Manchester United are reportedly interested in Gremio wonderkid Arthur Melo and are in a four-way tussle that includes Chelsea and Barcelona.
According to Daily Mail, Manchester United have entered the race to sign highly-rated Arthur Melo, a Brazilian wonderkid currently plying his trade for Brazilian outfit Gremio. The Red Devils will have to fend off the advances of Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid though, if they are to land the youngster.
While there seems to be onslaught of prodigies from Brazil attracting interest from Europe, as is the case always, Arthur Melo is not exactly of a similar predicament. The player did not attract much attention towards himself during the onset of his footballing career.
Now 21 though, Arthur Melo is on the radar of Barcelona, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, with Manchester United also entering the fray. Arthur was even called by Tite to be a part of the Brazilian National Team in October for the CONMEBOL Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
And while he is yet to make his senior debut – a reminder that he has represented Brazil at the Under-17 and the Under-20 levels – there is growing certainty around his ability, which has been mainly down to his rise to prominence within the Gremio setup.
In the current season itself, Arthur has played 35 matches with a return of a goal and an assist. The tally may bring some questions to one’s mind. But, given the fact that the player is known more for his link-up play and creativity, the trade-off is bearable once you watch him play.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s tenure at Gremio was the enabler in Arthur Melo’s footballing journey and the manager’s validation is big considering the stature of teams he has managed and his achievements in due course. Manchester United though, may not be the best place for Arthur, given the ridicule the club is facing for their flaccid style of play under Jose Mourinho.
However, the move will make sense for United, given the fact that Mourinho is looking to replace Carrick in the midfield and Arthur, with his playing style, seems to mirror the English veteran to a great extent.
But, United do have their own creative Brazilian in Andreas Pereira, who has been tipped to take over eventually, once he returns from his Valencia loan spell.
Manchester United keeping tabs on Gremio’s young Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo https://t.co/3AJxS61fui pic.twitter.com/3XaHvdMvKj
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) November 8, 2017
Chelsea’s central midfield though, does not warrant a player of Arthur’s style, as proven whenever Cesc Fabregas has been deployed in the pivot duo. Still, Antonio Conte might want to add Arthur as a cover for the midfield or perhaps even as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who has been linked with a move away from the Bridge.
Barcelona may eye the player as a good addition in case they fail to land Philippe Coutinho and other prime targets for the central midfield. Arthur’s eyes on the other hand, should be peeled directly towards a spot in Brazil’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
And any move, if it does happen, is likely to take place in the aftermath of the Russian adventure in the summer of 2018.
