Fernando Diniz ‘wants’ Arthur, but Corinthians hit wage wall | OneFootball

Corinthians have registered their first interest of the window in Arthur Melo, though wages and budget remain obstacles.

Café do Setorista reported the interest, and ge.globo said Arthur’s camp sought more than R$ 2 million a month after his Grêmio spell. Fernando Diniz wants another holding midfielder and has identified Arthur, but the board views the numbers as beyond budget.

Before any deal, Corinthians must address a Fifa transfer ban for non-payment related to José Martínez’s move from Philadelphia Union. Football executive Marcelo Paz has said players need to be sold to meet the R$ 151 million target set at the start of the year.

André Luiz, who operates in Arthur’s position, is among the likeliest to leave. Juventus had shown interest in the youngster in February.

A Grêmio academy graduate, Arthur was key to the 2017 Libertadores triumph, then joined Barcelona, winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, and featured for Brazil’s 2019 Copa América winners.

He later signed for Juventus and had loan spells at Liverpool and Fiorentina, before a year back at Grêmio on loan. Now back in Turin, he is not expected to feature under Luciano Spalletti, with the club in next season’s Europa League. He turns 30 in August and is under contract until July 2027.

Source: Meu Timao