Having only played 13 minutes – a Champions League cameo on MD1 vs. Napoli – on a season-long loan deal from Juventus that quickly soured at Liverpool, Roberto de Zerbi is reportedly leading the charge for his Brighton side to offer Arthur Melo a second opportunity at Premier League football, bolstering their midfield with more shrewd signings as European adventures await next term.
Seagulls keep strengthening, Arthur an intriguing option
This coming Friday will officially mark the contract expiry of a forgettable campaign’s work on foreign soil, in a new country learning a new language under difficult circumstances. Arthur Melo’s first season in England wasn’t meant to end like this.
Then again, there’s an uncomfortable sense of foreshadowing that followed him after a surprise season-long loan switch to Liverpool was announced on September 1, lacking sharpness on arrival having been frozen out at parent club Juventus.
Arthur’s injury history – December 2017 to February 2023
Dec. 2017 to Feb. 2018 – Ankle (Gremio, missed 87 days)
Nov-Dec. 2018 – Abductor muscle tear (Barcelona, 15 days)
Feb. 2019 – Hamstring (19 days)
May 2019 – Muscle problems (12 days)
August 2019 – Achilles tendon problems (10 days)
October, November twice – Phyiscal knocks (12 days combined)
Dec. 2019 to Jan. 2020 – Inflamed pelvis (44 days)
March 2020 – Ankle (11 days)
July 2020 – Tonsilitis, ankle (12 days)
Dec. 2020 – Hamstring (Juventus, five days)
Feb to March 2021 – soft tissue leg injury (27 days)
July-October 2021 – recurrence of said issue, needing surgery (77 days)
April 2022 – Ankle distortion (17 days)
May 2022 – Undisclosed injury (12 days)
August 2022 – More ankle problems (7 days)
October-February 2023 – Another surgery (Liverpool, 145 days)
The high-intensity training methods and lofty expectations that Jurgen Klopp commands of his players meant physical setbacks wouldn’t be far behind, unless they managed an injury-prone player carefully.
Not much has been said about the additional work he’s undergone behind-the-scenes, training and playing in under-21 fixtures, hiring his own additional staff to aid the transition in what was described as an intensive conditioning programme.
He wanted to force his way into the fold, playing an integral role in a so-so midfield three with an eye on Brazil’s World Cup squad.
Instead, he watched Tite’s men bow out on penalties against Croatia in the quarter-final, while his club form remained non-existent upon recovery from another issue.
Liverpool had a £33m option to buy him this summer, having agreed a £4m loan fee with Juventus initially, but it quickly became apparent that wouldn’t be activated.
Instead, they’ve moved quickly to capture World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for a similar price (£35m) from Brighton, who are supposedly considering a move for the 22-cap Brazil international themselves.
Valencia and Arsenal were linked last summer, while Newcastle and Aston Villa are among the Premier League clubs monitoring his situation amid speculation this month claiming Juventus want to agree a mutual termination with the 26-year-old.
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Both teams can offer him European football next season – as can Brighton – but at a time where Roberto de Zerbi’s men are juggling rival interest in key men while bolstering their midfield options, this is a creative gamble that could work well.
Mahmoud Dahoud (27) arrives in England presumably hungry after flattering to deceive during the latter stages of a six-year spell at Borussia Dortmund, while James Milner’s winning knowhow is an invaluable asset as they aspire to reach new heights.
Moises Caicedo appears on his way out of the exit door too, opening up more minutes for Sweden U21 Yasin Ayari after his €4m (£3.1m) move from AIK in January, while PSV’s Xavi Simons and Ajax winger Mohammed Kudus have been linked.
As this feature last September reinforces, Arthur’s ability isn’t really the question – his fitness and consistency of availability is, hindering an opportunity for him to truly fulfil his potential the way some Barcelona fans expected a half-decade ago.
Picture source: Getty Images
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