Without Arthur, Castro’s options for Grêmio’s midfield | OneFootball

Grêmio is using the break in the schedule to try to solve one of its biggest problems this season: the midfield setup.

Head coach Luís Castro has been running several experiments in recent friendlies, looking not only to improve chance creation but also to find the ideal replacement for Arthur, the team’s former captain who left the club after his loan deal expired.

To improve passing and support young Gabriel Mec, the experienced Willian was deployed more to the left side of midfield.

However, the gamble did not produce the effect the coaching staff had hoped for in the trial matches.

Against Cascavel, Willian came off at halftime with the game tied (the team reacted and turned the match around afterward).

Against Chapecoense, he was substituted just five minutes into the second half, with the team trailing 2-0 (Grêmio improved and pulled one back after he went off).

Although the substitutions had been planned in advance to give the squad playing time, the drop in performance with the midfielder on the field has put his starting spot in doubt. With his contract running only until the end of the year, the trend is that Willian will not renew his deal, both because of his performances and the club’s policy of keeping the wage bill under control.

For his place, Luís Castro is considering other alternatives, according to ge.

Amuzu: He would bring different qualities, with more pace and dribbling.

Braithwaite: He could play centrally, behind striker Carlos Vinicius, which would shift Gabriel Mec out wide.

Monsalve: He is an outside option and has lost a lot of space this season. With interest from Estudiantes of Argentina, the Colombian could be sold soon.

Who takes Arthur’s spot?

The main bet to fill the vacancy left by Arthur is Argentine Juan Nardoni. The No. 5 started both recent friendlies, and Luís Castro’s idea is to form a foreign defensive-midfield partnership with fellow countryman Leo Pérez, who had already been an undisputed starter before the Copa break.

Another name back on the radar and bringing relief to the squad is Villasanti. The Paraguayan returned to the pitch last Saturday after nearly a year recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in August 2025. With his dynamic box-to-box profile, he emerges as Nardoni’s immediate replacement or as a strong tactical option if the game calls for a third defensive midfielder.

Grêmio in the Transfer Market

With the risk of losing important pieces — Gabriel Mec is also in talks to be sold abroad — the Grêmio board is scouting the transfer market in search of targeted reinforcements. The priorities are:

An attacking midfielder.

A right-back (talks with 22-year-old Diego Caito of Goiás have advanced in recent hours).

A center-back to play on the left side of the defense.

Upcoming Fixtures

Before the ball starts rolling again for three points, Grêmio has one more test ahead to fine-tune the final details:

Friendly: This Sunday, the team faces Cruzeiro at Mané Garrincha Stadium (Brasília) at 5 p.m.

Official Return: Next Friday, Tricolor visits Mirassol at 8 p.m. for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 DANTE FERNANDEZ - AFP or licensors