Report: Liverpool will reject chance to sign ‘first class’ midfielder for £32m

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Liverpool have made their ultimate decision on Arthur Melo, according to reports. The Reds have the chance to sign him for £32m.

This comes from Goal. Journalist Neil Jones claims that Liverpool will not sign Arthur Melo permanently at the end of this season.

The Brazilian arrived on loan from Juventus on the final day of the summer transfer window. Per Juventus’s records, Liverpool paid £3.88m for the season and included an option to sign Arthur for £32m.

An injury ruined his first six months with the club, however, and Arthur has only played 13 minutes for Liverpool. The club believe they’ve seen enough to make a decision, though.

Liverpool make Arthur Melo decision

£32m was always going to be a big ask but we were hopeful that things would work out. After all, Arthur’s data suggested Liverpool were getting a special talent if they could find a way to make him click.

But that came with the caveat that Arthur hadn’t clicked at either Barcelona or Juventus. There was a reason they were allowing him to leave on loan.

Arthur certainly put in the effort, though. He missed pre-season with Juve and arrived at Liverpool without the proper match fitness. 13 minutes was never going to get him up to speed and so the 25-year-old spent an international break with the Under 21s.

His work-ethic and desire to give up his holiday earned rave reviews from within Liverpool and impressed staff. Under 21 boss Barry Lewtas labelled him ‘first-class’ after working with him – and that was promising.

But injury hit immediately after that spell. Arthur hasn’t been able to play since and still isn’t back, even after the World Cup break. There’s half a chance that we see him in January but it could be February before he’s ready to feature. He is working his way back, though.

Liverpool plainly feel Arthur won’t be able to impress enough over the rest of the season to justify a £32m deal. We can only hope he gets on the pitch enough to justify the £3.88m, in truth.