Juventus have just agreed a £72.5 million fee with Barcelona for Arthur Melo. This breaking news has left everybody stunned. Blaugrana fans, Bianconeri fans and everyone else who genuinely can’t understand what both clubs are thinking. It’s actually worrying how much two giants of the modern game are failing so badly in their transfer policy.
On the face of it, you might think this is a good deal. Arthur hasn’t settled into life at the Camp Nou seamlessly. He’s struggled with misconduct off the pitch and consistency on it, despite having moments of brilliance. Some Barca fans still believe he is the replacement for Xaxi/Iniesta that the team is so desperately crying out for. Others have already ruled out his chances of being a success in Catalonia. The latter highlights an issue with the how demanding and impatient the fanbase has become following their golden era of success. But I digress.
Here’s why it’s not a good deal. Selling the Brazilian for a profit just a year after signing him seems like good business for Barcelona. Especially considering how lackluster and horrendous their transfer policy has been since 2015.
But this is all subject to where the Catalans reinvest that money. If you had even the slightest bit of common sense, you’d think they would target a young, talented midfielder that is an upgrade on Arthur. Yet clearly, the Barcelona board have demonstrated once again their complete lack of direction.
They’ve decided to line up 30-year-old Miralem Pjanic. Nothing against the Bosnian international. He’s an incredibly classy footballer. Great technical ability, excellent work ethic and someone who does fit that Barcelona mould. Well, if it even exists any more. But this seems like madness. You’re replacing a young 23-year-old, who’s not much worse than Pjanic perhaps even better, with someone who isn’t going to get better. Barca fans are already seemingly done with Ivan Rakitic, I can’t imagine how they’ll feel about another older player joining the squad.
Also, this isn’t a £72.5 million swap deal. Barcelona are agreeing a SEPARATE fee for him. Considering how poor their recruitment policy and negotiation skills have been, I would not be surprised if the Spanish club pay upwards of £45 million for the former Roma midfielder. Baffling how this happens at the elite level of football.
Back to Arthur Melo. Has he really been that bad that Barcelona want to get rid of him? I don’t think so. The potential and talent is there, but he just needs time to develop. I think the issue goes beyond the former Gremio midfielder too.
It’s no secret that the club has struggled for stability and a sense of direction since Josep Bartomeu was elected. Luis Enrique did bring that feel-good factor and nostalgia back to the Camp Nou. Yet since he left, there’s been complete directionless incoherence.
James Wills is Based in Cape Town and loves playing football from the young age, He has covered All the news sections in TasteOfFootball and have been the best editor, He wrote his first NHL story in the 2013 and covered his first playoff series, As a Journalist in TasteOfFootball Ron has over 8 years of Experience.