Gremio close in on deal for Juventus outcast Arthur: the details | OneFootball

Arthur Melo’s long and winding road away from Juventus appears to be reaching its final destination, with Gremio in advanced discussions to sign the Brazilian midfielder permanently after a successful loan spell in Porto Alegre rekindled a career that had seemed irreparably damaged.

According to Tuttosport, the two clubs have opened negotiations over a permanent transfer for the Brazilian, whose contract at Juventus has been repeatedly extended over the years, not out of any desire to keep him, but as a financial manoeuvre to reduce his amortisation value on the balance sheet and make him easier to sell. It has been a lengthy and frustrating exercise for both parties.

Arthur Melo of Juventus looks on during his warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Juventus at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 30, 2022 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)

Arthur’s Gremio renaissance ends years of Juventus exile after Liverpool, Fiorentina and Girona failures

Since effectively becoming surplus to requirements at the Continassa, Arthur has been sent out on loan to Liverpool, Fiorentina and Girona, and on each occasion the story ended the same way.

No club exercised their purchase option. Each summer he returned to Turin, trained with the squad in pre-season and declared his desire to fight for a place. Each time, nothing materialised.

His return to Gremio last season changed everything.

Back in Porto Alegre, in the shirt of the club where he came of age, Arthur rediscovered the form that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.

His performances were so impressive that there were even calls for him to be included in Brazil’s World Cup squad, a remarkable turnaround for a player many had written off entirely.

That renaissance has convinced Gremio to pursue a permanent deal, and Juventus, who will be delighted to finally close the chapter on one of the most costly and protracted transfer sagas in recent memory, are understood to be cooperative in the negotiations.