Arsenal ready to offer January move to Arthur Melo

Arsenal are keen on luring Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo this month but a deal depends on the Serie A club finding a replacement, Tuttosport claims.

The Gunners are very short in the midfield department at the moment. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are currently away on international duty.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was loaned out to Roma while Granit Xhaka is suspended for two games after his sending-off against Liverpool in midweek.

This leaves Albert Sambi Lokonga as the only senior central midfielder. Hence, it has become a necessity to make a new signing. Arthur is the prime target.

The Gunners are ready to loan him in January by paying his wages, but the Bianconeri are unlikely to sanction his exit without a suitable replacement.

Arthur is reportedly their fifth-choice midfielder. The Turin giants want Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria to replace the Brazil international.

Zakaria is available on a cut-price deal with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

Our view:

Zakaria has been regularly linked with the Gunners in recent years, but it seems Arthur is the top midfield target at the current point of time.

The Brazilian is available on a temporary deal unlike Zakaria, who would cost a transfer fee. The onus appears on a short-term replacement.

The 25-year-old is open to joining the club this month, but the loan deal will be dependent on whether the Bianconeri can replace him this winter.

With plenty of time left in the transfer window, there is a high possibility that could happen. Juventus could capitalise on Zakaria’s situation.

However, the Gunners are likely to prefer a quick deal. They may ideally want Arthur for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Arthur is excellent with his distribution and dribbling ability. He also has a tireless workrate, but his tackling and aerial ability remains a weakness.

Hence, he is unlikely to occupy the defensive midfield role. The Gunners should still benefit from his progressive passing from the centre of the park.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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