Arsenal have been dealt a massive transfer blow in their pursuit of Arthur Melo after Massimiliano Allegri revealing he expects the midfielder to remain at Juventus.
Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a midfielder before the January transfer window shuts with the club identifying Melo. The Gunners now have a depleted squad in the midfield with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny at the Africa Cup of Nations while Martin Odegaard has an injury. The north London club also has allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to join AS Roma on loan.
Arsenal’s were keen to sign Bruno Guimaraes but Lyon’s asking price has put of the Premier League side, turning attention to Arthur. According to reports, Arsenal has reached an agreement with Arthur after talks between the player’s camp and technical director Edu.
“I have already said it, this is our team and we need to complete the season with the current squad in the best possible way,” Allegri responded when asked about the speculation linking the midfielder with a move to Arsenal.
“This means reaching the top four in the league and progressing in the Champions League, and on Tuesday there is the Coppa Italia. We are growing as a team, we just have to stay calm.”
Edu knows Arthur well having been part of Brazil set up when he was first called up to the national team in 2018.
See also: Fiorentina CEO Barone speaks out on Vlahović future, Arsenal bid
Juventus manager Allegri when asked about Arthur to Arsenal: “I already said it – this one is our team and we need to complete the season with the current squad”. ⚪️ #AFC
“Dybala’s contract? The board takes care of contracts, not me. I’m happy with Paulo”. #Juve
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 14, 2022
