According to a recent report by Mundo Deportivo, both Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan are interested in acquiring the services of Barcelona playmaker Arthur Melo this summer. The same source has also claimed that both clubs are preparing to convince the Brazilian midfield ace with tempting offers during the summer transfer window with the Catalan outfit hoping that he would stay put at the Nou Camp for the time being.
Arthur’s Injury-Plagued Campaign In The Spanish First Division
It has been a season of mixed emotions for the 23-year-old as he has impressed in patches but has struggled to find consistency at the heart of the Barca midfield. He has played in 23 matches for the La Liga giants this term, netting four goals and providing four assists in multiple competitions. However, the Gremio youth product has received just 1362 minutes of playing time as he has been plagued with random injuries which have hampered his progress at Catalonia.
Arthur has averaged 0.5 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game in the Spanish top-flight and the UEFA Champions League which highlights his inconsistent form in a Barca shirt this season (stats via whoscored). Maybe he can benefit from switching clubs this summer as it will allow him to make a fresh start and rediscover his old form away from the Nou Camp.
The Goiania-born midfield ace has also earned 20 senior caps for the Brazilian national side thus far but is yet to score his first goal for his nation. He is in dire need to up his overall game next season so that he can ensure a place in Tite’s squad for next year’s Copa America.
What Are The South American Sensation’s Best Attributes?
Arthur lacks mobility in midfield, but that doesn’t stop him from completing some dangerous dribbles in the opposition half. He has excellent ball control and a low centre of gravity that enables him to make a few intelligent runs with the ball towards the opposition penalty box. The Brazilian playmaker hardly throws away possession after completing 91.2% of his attempted passes in league football this season (stats via whoscored).
Why Setien Cannot Allow Arthur To Depart This Summer
The 23-year-old has all the skillset required to be a grand success at the Nou Camp as long as he can remain fit and healthy in the coming seasons. He has already shown a few glimpses of what he is capable of in the La Liga so far but needs to perform more consistently if he wants to win over the Barca faithful and fulfil his true potential in European football. For that to happen, Arthur has to stay patient and wait for his chances at the Catalan club.
Even though a summer switch to Italy or England will be quite tempting for the talented Brazilian, yet he will be better off staying put in Spain for the time being. Barcelona boss Quique Setien needs to do everything in his power to fend off interest from other clubs as it won’t be easy for him to replace a midfielder of Arthur’s technical quality.
Many Barca fans will also believe that the best is yet to come from the promising playmaker so the Catalans simply cannot afford to sanction his departure when the transfer window reopens later this year.
