Juventus are reportedly planning to offer Arsenal a deal that includes former Liverpool player Arthur Melo plus cash for Jakub Kiwior. Since joining the Gunners in January 2023, Kiwior has had limited playing time at the Emirates Stadium.
The Polish international was given 30 appearances across all competitions last season, with only 11 Premier League starts. However, Juventus are said to be interested in the defender and could provide him with an opportunity to leave north London.
Despite their interest, the Serie A giants are hesitant about his price tag. According to the Mirror, Arsenal are likely to demand around £20million – a sum Juventus can’t afford.
To reduce Arsenal’s asking price, it’s thought that Arthur, who is no longer needed at Juventus, will be included in the deal. Premier League fans may remember Melo from his loan spell at Liverpool during the 2022/23 season.
Unfortunately, his time in Merseyside didn’t go as expected, with the midfielder making just one senior appearance. After featuring more for the under-21 side than the first team, Liverpool decided not to sign him permanently.
Speaking on the conclusion of Arthur Melo’s loan spell, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp remarked: “Circumstances meant Arthur was not able to play as much as he would have liked but his professionalism and ability were clear to all who worked with him.”
Despite not making a significant impact at Liverpool, Arthur Melo’s future in the Premier League remains a possibility, with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta reportedly open to bringing the midfielder on board.
At 27, Arthur still has plenty of time to rediscover the form that once made him a standout player, and with a stroke of fortune, he could become an asset for a Premier League side.
Arthur may not be eyed as a first-choice player, but he could provide valuable depth for Arsenal, potentially easing the burden on the squad’s pivotal midfield figures.
The stats from last season highlight a potential issue for the Gunners, with both Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard among the top three for minutes played at the club, suggesting a heavy dependence on this central pair.
