Arthur Melo fell into a spiral of misfortune when he left FC Barcelona for Juventus. When he first arrived in Italy he was smitten by La Vecchia Signora’s poor dynamics and last year Klopp opted for him to play just one game in the entire season.
This transfer market would be complicated for him: too many unused opportunities, a performance that could be greatly improved, few games in the last few months… Who would bet on him? And Fiorentina appeared. Although it seemed like an “easy” adventure, it clearly wasn’t: the Brazilian had to replace Morocco’s star at the last World Cup, Soufyan Amrabat, and make people forget.
“The injury I suffered at Juventus and Liverpool made it difficult for me, but thanks to it I grew. I am different than before, I am better. I learned a lot and feel in good shape mentally and physically. At Fiorentina I want to win and learn, then we’ll see what happens,” he said after his signing was officially announced.
And for now, the boy who once left Gremio as an absolute star has found his football again by returning to the transalpine country. He has returned to the position where he experienced his football explosion, the “5”, and it doesn’t matter whether he plays alongside Mandragora or Duncan, for Vincenzo Italiano it is crucial.
Not only the coach, but also his teammate and captain of the “Fiore”, Giacomo Bonaventura, is enthusiastic about him: “Playing with Arthur is a joy, he will give us a lot and he covers his ‘new’ position perfectly.”
Even Borja Valero himself, a real institution in Florence, capitulates to him: “Arthur has different characteristics than the other players who have moved in this position in recent years. If you put him in the game, he has the ability to be a director and do it well.”
Arthur is on loan at Fiorentina from Juventus, who have decided to do without him for the last two years. His contract ends in 2024 and, according to Italy, their idea is not to extend it with the Turin team as he has suffered “disregard” in recent seasons.
Leave a trail of distress behind you
While the player was looking for a team this summer, two of his former teams, Liverpool and Barça, wanted to fill the exact position in which he currently excels. Those from Anfield have signed Endo, those from Camp Nou have signed Oriol Romeu.
