Grêmio explain Arthur exit, say January spending did not block renewal | OneFootball

Grêmio made their first public comments on Arthur’s departure, with president Odorico Roman saying the club reached its financial limit on an offer and could not agree a renewal, while leaving the door open for a future return.

Roman spoke on Wednesday at the presentation of new vice-president of football Rafael Lima. The club announced on Tuesday that Arthur was leaving, saying the parties did not reach a financial agreement.

Lima maintained January and February spending did not block a deal. He pointed to the arrivals of Nardoni, Tetê, Leo Pérez and Enamorado for about R$ 100 million, and said the club still pushed hard to keep Arthur.

He added the overall picture had not changed since January, the proposal matched what Grêmio could afford, and player sales were already necessary and included in the previous administration’s budget.

In recent days the board tabled a contract to keep Arthur until December 2028 on about R$ 1.5 million a month, the same as his current wage, formalised last Friday. The player sought around R$ 2.5 million and a three-year deal.

Arthur aimed to secure a free exit from Juventus for Grêmio and was prepared to forgo R$ 4 million per month due until June 2027, so he considered a higher salary and a longer term fair.

Source: Globo.com