Arsenal edge closer to Arthur loan transfer as Juventus open talks with Lyon to sign Bruno Guimaraes as replacement
ARSENAL have received a boost in their pursuit of Juventus star Arthur Melo.
The Gunners are looking to finalise a loan deal for the former Barcelona star until the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta wants reinforcements in midfield due to the club’s Covid problems and Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey being on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Now Get French Football have claimed Juventus have opened talks over bringing in a replacement for Arthur.
They report that the Serie A club are in negotiations with Ligue 1 side Lyon over the possibility of signing Bruno Guimaraes.
Arteta is a big fan of the 25-year-old, and has been keeping tabs on him over the last few seasons.
SunSport understands Juventus are happy for the Brazilian to leave, but want to sign a replacement first.
He is ready to fly in next week and sign until the summer if the move is given the go ahead.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
There has already been talks over the loan between the two clubs and the ex-Barcelona star’s agent.
Arteta will also be without Granit Xhaka for the next three games after his reckless red card at Liverpool on Thursday night.
That leaves them with just Albert Sambi Lokonga and youngster Charlie Patino as their only two central midfielders.
Arthur is looking to get more first-team action ahead of the World Cup in Qatar with Brazil next summer.
He joined the Old Lady in 2020 as part of a £66m deal which included Miralem Pjanic going the other way.
The Italian giants are also expected to lose Aaron Ramsey this month, which could leave them short in midfield.
Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
