Former Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo is set to join Italian side Fiorentina on-loan from Juventus.
Arthur had a torrid time at Liverpool last season, making only a single appearance throughout a full campaign at the club.
After returning to Juventus, it was clear that the Brazilian would once again be surplus to requirements. Thankfully, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Arthur has now secured himself a move.
“Arthur Melo to Fiorentina, here we go! Deal in place on loan for €3/4m plus €20m [£17m] buy option clause included, not mandatory,” wrote the journalist.
“Understand former Barca and Liverpool midfielder will undergo medical tests on Friday.”
Arthur set for Fiorentina move
Arthur’s move to Fiorentina is obviously worth keeping an eye on from a Liverpool point of view. It will be interesting to see how he gets on back in Italy after a dreadful stay at Anfield.
If he does well, perhaps some questions will be raised as to why he wasn’t given more of a chance by Jurgen Klopp, when he was fit of course.
But there is some interest for another, more immediate reason.
That’s because Liverpool have once again been reliably linked with Fiorentina’s Moroccan midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat.
The Reds are said to be considering Amrabat as a potential replacement for Al Ittihad-bound Fabinho. With the Florence side reportedly open to selling the 26-year-old, Arthur’s signing could be another indication of that.
Arthur and Amrabat are two different types of midfielder, that’s true. One is a destroyer, labelled ‘exceptional’ by Jamie O’Hara during the World Cup [TalkSPORT]. The other is a silky, Thiago Alcantara-lite. But in terms of a sheer numbers game, maybe Fiorentina are preparing for the Morocco international’s exit.
Until Liverpool do pull the trigger on another midfielder, you feel they may continue to be linked with Amrabat. Arthur’s arrival should do little to quell that.
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