Liverpool could get quite the deal if Arthur performs well at the club, thanks to a smart contract clause.
The Brazilian midfielder moved to Anfield from Juventus on deadline day. He ultimately became Liverpool’s sole transfer on September 1, as he filled an important gap in the squad.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently in the midst of a midfield crisis. Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, and Naby Keita are all out through injury. To make matters worse, captain Jordan Henderson underwent scans on a potential hamstring issue that could rule him out, too.
As a result, Liverpool had to dip into the transfer market to get reinforcements for the middle of the park. Klopp admitted that they needed fresh faces in midfield following his side’s loss to Man United.
“You were all right, and I was wrong,” he conceded to the media (quote via Daily Mail).
However, the Liverpool boss also revealed that he attempted to sign a midfielder earlier this year, only for the mystery player to join a different club. So, after rumours linking the club to numerous players, the Reds signed Arthur Melo.
Arthur: Contract and terms of Liverpool move
The Brazilian midfielder joins on a season-long loan from Serie A giants Juventus. As part of this, Liverpool will pay the Turin side a €4.5 million (£3.9 million) fee for his services, per Sky Sports.
Although exact details on wages are unknown, Italian media outlet Tutto Mercato claims that Liverpool and Juve will split Arthur’s salary 50-50 for the year. But the most interesting detail is the “to-buy” option, which Juventus shared in a statement on their website.
Liverpool and the Serie A side agreed on a buy-out clause in the loan contract for Arthur. Thanks to this, the Anfield side can choose to pay €37.5 million (£32 million) to keep the Brazilian permanently in June 2023. In addition, this payment for a permanent transfer can be made in two segments.
So, if Arthur performs well during his loan, Jurgen Klopp can pick up top-class midfield cover for a cut-price fee. Considering Juve paid Barcelona €72 million for Arthur in a swap deal with Miralem Pjanic in 2020, this could prove good value.
And, if Arthur is not up to scratch for Liverpool, he can simply return back to Italy at the end of his loan contract. It seems like a win-win situation for the Reds.
But what can the Brazilian bring to Jurgen Klopp’s side?
Arthur Melo: Who is he?
A deep-lying playmaker, Arthur first moved to Europe from Gremio in 2018. When he first joined Barcelona, he drew comparisons to the legendary Xavi for his intelligence on the ball.
However, he stayed at Camp Nou for just two seasons before signing with Juventus in the summer of 2020. In Turin, Arthur struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular, especially under current boss Massimiliano Allegri.
The Brazilian has, therefore, only made 63 appearances for The Old Lady.
A fresh start at Liverpool may be exactly what Arthur needs to re-discover his earlier form. From Jurgen Klopp’s perspective, he has a composed midfielder who will help keep the game ticking over, whilst providing creativity from a deeper position in the midfield.
Speaking to the club website, the new No.29 expressed his excitement at the challenge ahead.
“I’m really, really happy to be here wearing this great shirt with this famous badge that represents so much in world football,” said Melo. “It’s a dream.
“We talked a lot, and our ideas and visions were a good fit. So, I’m sure it was the right choice. I am really happy and motivated to continue living my dream on the pitch and giving my all in a Liverpool shirt.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
