Gremio has secured a major coup, finalizing a deal to bring a former Barcelona star back to Porto Alegre for the 2025/26 season.
Gremio has made a significant move in the transfer market, securing the return of a talented star to their ranks after a seven-year stint in Europe.
The Brazilian club, currently 14th in Série A, finalized a deal that brings a familiar face back to Porto Alegre, aiming to bolster their squad for the 2025/26 season.
The signing marks a homecoming for a player whose early career at Grêmio set the stage for a high-profile European journey.
The player is Arthur Melo, the 29-year-old midfielder who has joined Gremio on loan from Juventus until June 2026, with an option to extend until December, as per the official Gremio X page.
Arthur, a product of Gremio’s youth system, rose to prominence with the club, playing a pivotal role in their 2017 Copa Libertadores triumph.
Sold to Barcelona in 2018 for €31 million, he later moved to Juventus in 2020 for €86 million.
Despite high expectations, injuries and inconsistent form saw him loaned to Liverpool, Fiorentina, and Girona, with only 13 minutes played at Liverpool in 2022/23.
Arthur’s return is a chance to revive his career at his boyhood club, where he made 70 appearances and scored six goals between 2015 and 2018.
His experience and vision, once compared to Xavi and Iniesta, could be a game-changer for Grêmio’s midfield.
However, the deal’s success depends on his ability to regain form after a challenging European spell.
For Gremio, Arthur’s return is a coup, bringing a seasoned international with 22 Brazil caps and a 2019 Copa América title.
His presence could elevate the team’s performance in the Brazilian Série A, despite their mid-table position.
As negotiations continue, the club’s focus is on integrating him seamlessly, with his experience likely to shine in Porto Alegre once again.
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