The Brazilian international and previous Arsenal target is now thought to be on the cusp of a temporary switch to Anfield as Liverpool look to have found their midfield
Juventus midfielder Arthur will undergo a medical today ahead of a season-long loan at Liverpool in a surprise deal.
The Brazilian international has emerged as a shock candidate to fill the void currently plaguing the Reds midfield as they contend with a large number of injuries to their current options in the middle of the park.
Arthur is on the verge of his move to Merseyside to help plug the gaps left by issues with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones – less than 12 months after he was linked with a switch to Arsenal on a similar temporary deal, only to see it fall through.
Following the Reds’ last-gasp 2-1 home win over Newcastle on Wednesday night, boss Jurgen Klopp conceded he did not harbour much hope when it came to bringing in any more additions before the window’s close.
Club captain Jordan Henderson sustained an injury at the worst possible time, adding to the lengthy list of midfielders who have spent time on the club’s treatment table so far this term.
The manager provided an update on the skipper after the full-time, explaining to BT Sport: “We have another problem with Hendo. He left after feeling his hamstring, that is obviously not helpful.”
The knock sustained by Henderson left Liverpool with just over 24 hours to try and find a potental replacement and at the time Klopp was not hopeful of their chances.
“I don’t think so,” Klopp said on a possible move for a midfielder. “But as long as there’s time we should not close the door completely. Obviously Hendo’s hamstring [injury] is not helpful.”
Liverpool had been in the market for Aurelien Tchouameni earlier in the summer, with the young French international their No.1 target to add to their midfield ranks. However, he elected to trade Monaco for Real Madrid instead.
Now the club have landed on Arthur, as first reported by Sky Italia, as the player to come in and do a job until the end of the season.
It is a surprise move given there have been concerns over the Brazilian international’s fitness levels during his stint in Serie A and previously, at former club Barcelona. Arthur has missed out on 23 league games across the last two Serie A seasons due to injury.
A temporary deal fits with Liverpool’s transfer plans for next summer, with the Reds expected to push heavily to bring England star Jude Bellingham to the Premier League, from current club Borussia Dortmund.
