Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo is again facing the prospect of leaving the club, marking his sixth pre-season as a potential departure, according to reports in Italy. The Brazilian international arrived in Turin in 2020 as part of a swap deal involving Miralem Pjanic, but has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter.
Arthur signed a lucrative contract under the previous sporting director Fabio Paratici, a deal that was later adjusted by Cristiano Giuntoli to lower the amortization costs. Despite this, his current salary of €5 million net per season places him among the five highest earners at the club, making him a player Juventus are keen to move on from. Manager Luciano Spalletti and the club’s leadership view him as surplus to requirements, but finding a suitable destination has proven difficult.
Throughout his time in Turin, Arthur has worked under a succession of managers including Massimiliano Allegri, Thiago Motta, Igor Tudor, and now Spalletti. His initial arrival was intended to provide tactical flexibility under Maurizio Sarri, but a subsequent injury during the 2020-21 season under Andrea Pirlo disrupted his progress. Allegri, upon his return, favoured different midfield profiles, further limiting Arthur’s opportunities.
Juventus have reportedly been attempting to offload Arthur for some time, with the player often training separately from the main squad. Recent reports suggest interest from Turkish side Besiktas, managed by Vincenzo Italiano, who previously coached Arthur at Fiorentina. A return to Brazil, specifically to Gremio where he had a positive loan spell, is also a possibility. His agent, Federico Pastorello, has been in discussions with the Juventus hierarchy at the club’s training ground, and a contract termination has not been ruled out. The club is exploring all avenues to reduce its wage bill and reshape the squad under its current leadership.
