Arthur Melo’s Juventus career could potentially draw to a premature close this winter.
The Brazilian has failed to ignite since swapping Catalonia for Piedmont, and it seems the midfielder will be known for being part of one of the strangest transfer exchanges ever as opposed to any masterful work in Bianconeri colours.
Even the legitimacy of the swap deal is under question.
Nevertheless, while Arthur’s debut campaign at Juventus was far from disastrous, his second season in Turin has been forgettable at best. Hampered by an injury that kept him out for the first two months of the campaign, the Brazilian has become a spare part of Massimiliano Allegri’s arsenal.
Appearances have come at a premium, and although he was granted some opportunities to shine ahead of the winter break, it remains to be seen whether he’s done enough to justify the Bianconeri keeping him on their books. All parties may seek an escape route in January, with a potential loan exit being an option for the metronomic midfielder.
4 potential destinations for Arthur Melo in January – ranked
Some teams have expressed an interest in taking on the 25-year-old, and here’s a ranking of those suitors – from worst to best fit.
4. Everton
According to Sport Mediaset, Juventus could use Arthur in an exchange with Everton for left-back Lucas Digne. The Bianconeri are supposedly ready to move on from Alex Sandro soon, and the Frenchman could be his replacement in Turin.
For Juve, this would be a brilliant deal. But, for Everton, not so much. Arthur is clearly a talented footballer who proved at Barcelona his functionality in a possession-oriented side, but he’s not cut out to be playing under Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees have often deployed a retro 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 under the Spanish boss, with their share of possession among the lowest in the Premier League. Simply put, Arthur would hate it on Merseyside. Hate it. He’s not robust or shrewd enough to fulfil the desires of the meticulous Benitez in the double pivot.
Plus, Everton aren’t exactly short of tidy midfield options. Why would they want to add another one?
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