Brazilian club Gremio have announced they will not be renewing the loan deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, effective June 30th, according to a club statement released Tuesday. The announcement follows a breakdown in negotiations between Juventus and Gremio regarding a permanent transfer for the player.
While Gremio expressed a desire to retain Arthur, an agreement could not be reached on financial terms. The club confirmed they made a formal proposal for a new contract, but Juventus, through intermediary Damien Comolli, reportedly demanded a transfer fee between €8 and €10 million. This figure proved to be a significant obstacle, given Arthur’s limited role at Juventus and Gremio’s financial capabilities.
Arthur initially joined Juventus in 2020 from Barcelona for a reported €72 million, but has struggled to establish himself as a consistent starter in Turin. He has spent the last two seasons on loan at Liverpool, Fiorentina, Girona, and most recently, Gremio, in an attempt to regain form and playing time. His current contract with Juventus runs until June 2027, and the club still lists him as a financial burden, with a remaining book value of €6.5 million.
Juventus’ newly appointed sporting director, Giovanni Carnevali, now faces the task of finding a solution for Arthur. According to reports, a deal with Gremio would have been possible without a transfer fee, but the protracted negotiations have reportedly soured relations between the two clubs. There is currently no established ‘Plan B’ for the midfielder, although Turkish side Besiktas, managed by former Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, has expressed a tentative interest. It remains uncertain whether Arthur is keen to return to European football, having indicated a preference to remain at Gremio. For now, Arthur is expected to return to Juventus and begin pre-season training under coach Luciano Spalletti.
