Barcelona has announced a deal for Arthur, the Gremio midfielder who has long been linked with a Camp Nou move. After months of speculation, his transfer was finalized and revealed by the club on Sunday.
However, this deal is an agreement on an option to buy. This means he will only become a Blaugrana player should the club exercise their right of first option on the 21-year-old.
The amount the Catalan giant will have to shell out in the summer for the Brazilian is $37m. That transfer fee and an extra $11m on add-ons conclude Barcelona’s chase of the South American starlet.
With legendary playmaker Andres Iniesta drawing closer to his 34th birthday and the end of his glorious career, his retirement is inevitable. The signing of Arthur has thus secured the Spanish icon’s potential successor.
Known for his passing ability and exceptional vision, the Gremio midfielder will become the third Brazilian ace in Valverde’s lineup, alongside Coutinho and Paulinho. Furthermore, he followed in the footsteps of Yerry Mina by becoming the second player since the New Year to secure a Camp Nou move from Brasileirão.
A five-year contract is tipped to be the duration of his Barcelona deal. However, it remains unclear when he will join up with the Spanish Primera Division leader, as the Brazilian league continues through the summer. Blaugrana fans might have to wait until January 2019 to see the Brazilian train with the club.
