Exclusive interview: Gremio's Arthur on his move to Barça

SPORT spoke exclusively to Arthur, who Barcelona have an option to sign from Gremio this summer ahead of a January (if not sooner) transfer. 

Introduce yourself to Barcelona...

At Gremio I played as defensive midfielder, in a double pivote but as the more creative player and as an interior... sometimes I'm asked where I prefer to play. I say I don't have a defined position, it depends on how the team plays. It will be up to the Barça coach to decide. 

You could play Busquets, Rakitic or Iniesta's position then?

I'm ready to play wherever I am put because I want to help my team-mates. The first thing is to think about the group. 

They say you're style is more European than Brazilian... 

That's praise. They always say it and I want to think postively. They say I think a lot about the play, that I have the ball to dictate the rhythm of a game. I'm happy to hear it and I hope to keep evolving as a player every day. 

ComparED WITH XAVI

Tostao, Brazil 1970 legend, says you're like Xavi...

Xavi is another great player. I know where I am starting, that I have a long way to go, but being so young and being compared with the football giants motivated me to keep growing. 

Who's your reference in Brazil?

Maicon, my midfielder team-mate here at Gremio. I learned a lot from him.

Are you happier scoring or creating?

A lot of people joke with this (laughs). Obviously if I get the chance to score, I will, but I am also happy to set up goals for my team-mates. 

You're 21... how are you so mature?

It's a quality I have. I have always been humble and listened to what people have told me. The group we have here at Gremio is very good and has helped me a lot. 

Perhaps it has something to do with leaving home at 14?

Yes, that helped me a lot. When you live alone, away from your family, you mature earlier. You have your own responsibilities, there are things not one does for you, something that doesn't happen if you're at home. 

MVP in the Libertadores final,  a goal in the Clasico against Internacional… are you a player for the big games?

In the two tests of fires, I've done OK.... 

You have to be a specialist to play in Barça's midfield...

I could be wrong, but Barça's strong point is dictating the rhythm of play. That's one of my characteristics. There are great midfielder there already, with a lot of quality. I hope to be there as soon I can to help them. 

What do you have to improve?

I am young. I need to get better in the area. There are other things I can improve, too. People praise my passing, but every day after training I work on improving it. I've not reached perfection, so I have to keep working hard. 

Valverde's BARÇA 

What do you think of Ernesto Valverde's Barça?

For me, they've not moved away from the Barcelona we've always seen. They are an extremely talented side, aware of what they want. They know how to suffer during a game, but they also use their strengths, like possession. There are players like Messi, Coutinho, Démbéle and Suarez who can change a game at any moment. That's why I chose to go to Barcelona. 

Will all your family move to Barcelona with you?

Of course, I have asked them and they said yes! They live in Porto Alegre with me now, my mum, dad and sister. And now we will all move to Barcelona together.