Liverpool will pay a loan fee for Arthur Melo as the Brazilian joins on a season-long move from Juventus.
According to The Times, that loan fee is set at £4m, which Liverpool will presumably pay up-front.
There were claims that The Reds would have no option to buy Arthur permanently during the loan. But these have proven to be wide of the mark. The Times claim that Liverpool can in fact sign the player for £32m.
As a result, should Liverpool see fit to add Arthur to their permanent squad, it would cost them a tidy looking £36m.
Win-win situation for Arthur and Liverpool
At £4m, the decision to bring Arthur in is as low-risk as they come. Nowhere in Europe could they have found a player of his pedigree for such a low fee on deadline day.
It’s also good to hear that an option to buy the Brazilian permanently has been included.
As well as giving Arthur a big incentive to convince Liverpool to trigger that clause, it also could be a good fee for The Reds.
Having failed to strengthen the midfield properly this summer, they’ll have to go big in a year’s time. All of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner look likely to leave in 2023 as things stand.
That will leave Liverpool with some catching up to do. As they plan to go big on Jude Bellingham, they may need one or two budget options.
£32m isn’t exactly a pittance. But nor is it a crazy amount of money in this market. If it ends up that Liverpool are happy to pay that for Arthur, chances are that he’ll have shown it to be a bargain.
It’s exciting for both player and fans from that point of view. Imagine the determination the 26-year-old will have to make the move permanent after such a torrid time at Juventus.
If Jurgen Klopp can ignite the kind of football which saw Lionel Messi proclaim him as Xavi’s successor, then no one will question this left-field signing. All to play for for Arthur. Welcome to Liverpool!
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