Barcelona strike deal with Gremio for Arthur to arrive this summer

Barcelona strike deal with Gremio for Arthur to arrive this summer

Arthur espera poder cambiar la camiseta del Gremio de Porto Alegre por la del FC Barcelona este verano
Arthur espera poder cambiar la camiseta del Gremio de Porto Alegre por la del FC Barcelona este verano | sport

After a series of meetings between Barcelona and Gremio, and the player's wish to move this summer, a deal has been reached to bring forward Arthur's transfer

Representatives from both Barcelona and Gremio have been locked in talks at Porto Alegre to bring forward Arthur's move to the Spanish club this summer rather than January as previously agreed back in March.

And the conclusion that's been reached is the best central midfielder in South America, Arthur, will join Barcelona in the coming weeks.

In the next few hours both parties hope to get the new agreement down in writing and one which will come into effect from the 1st July. This is the date that Barcelona officially start their accounts for the 2018/19 season.

The ace up Barcelona's sleeve was the stance of Arthur who has privately made it clear to Gremio that he wants to join Barcelona now.

Gremio's negotiators are the club's president, Romildo Bolzan Jr and their CEO, Carlos Amadeo. With the player's desire to leave this summer it has left them with very little to work with. Gremio want the €30m up front and an extra payment for bringing the transfer forward.

Barcelona don't want to pay this 'bonus' payment. Andre Cury, the club's representative in the South American market, is the one marking Barcelona's stance during these talks. All this while Abidal, Ramon Planes and Pep Segura are meeting with Ernesto Valverde to discuss their summer transfer targets.

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