Barcelona must prioritize keeping Arthur Melo for the long-term

Arthur Melo has been in recent transfer rumors with Juventus among the clubs showing interest. Still, Barcelona should look to keep him in the long-term.

Even in these uncertain times for world soccer, transfer rumors just do not seem to come to a halt. The latest transfer rumor that is catching steam centers on Barcelona’s coveted midfielder Arthur Melo.

Over the past couple of weeks, the Brazilian has been linked with several clubs for a possible summer transfer move, most notably Juventus.

Barcelona have been rumored to show interest in a swap deal between Arthur and Juve’s Miralem Pjanic with the club determined to do what it takes to bring in the Bosnian talent. On the other hand, Juventus are reportedly interested in Barca’s proposed deal on the basis that the Blaugrana will only offer Arthur. Juve would not even consider the likes of Ivan Rakitic, whom they have reportedly turned down.

This deal has all the makings to be a win-win from both a financial and tactical perspective for Juventus. They would bring in an exceptional midfield talent who is currently seven years younger than Pjanic and is locked into a contract up until 2024. On the field, Arthur would fit into Juve’s midfield like a puzzle piece; he can operate under the team’s desired style of play with quick vertical passes upfield while also progressing into open patches of space in the final third.

But for Barcelona, this seems like yet another puzzling transfer deal from the board. As mentioned, Arthur is seven years younger than Pjanic and is on a long-term, team-friendly contract. The Brazilian is also content with his stature within the team and desires to stay amidst the interest from other clubs.

“There is always speculation but my idea is clear,” Arthur said last month. “The only option that interests me is staying at Barcelona.

“I feel good here and I am grateful to the club and the coaching staff for the confidence they have in me. The supposed interest of big clubs is always flattering and a positive sign, but my mind is on playing for Barcelona for many years.

“This is where I have always wanted to be.”

Barcelona are surely in need of a few tweaks within the midfield. They have not had a player capable of becoming a reliable creative catalyst in the opposition half since the glory days of Andres Iniesta’s prime. But swapping Arthur for Pjanic, or any player who has a similar tactical profile, would not solve any tactical issues for the club. While Pjanic is a bit more polished as a ball-controlling midfielder than Arthur at the moment, he is not much of a significant, game-changing upgrade over the 23-year-old.

In league play this season, both players have had up-and-down seasons, with Arthur missing time due to injury and Pjanic suffering some mid-season shortcomings. Yet, Pjanic’s campaign has not been far superior over Arthur’s to the point where such a swap deal may be justified.

As a ball progressor, Pjanic has per 90 rates of 7.88 passes into the final third and 0.99 passes into the box, according to Football Reference. Arthur comes in at per 90 figures of 7.37 passes into the final third and 1.08 passes into the box. One needs to also take into account Pjanic’s positioning as a holding midfielder, but he would not occupy such a position with Barcelona considering both Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong’s ability to play the role at a top-class level.

On the defensive side of the ball, Pjanic sports per 90 possession adjusted (pAdj) rates of 6.31 successful pressures and 1.63 tackles won. Arthur’s per 90 pAdj rates are 6.23 successful pressures and 1.19 tackles won. Pjanic holds the slight edge in both categories, but that is to be expected due to his more defensive positioning and hefty responsibilities in Juve’s pressing setup.

Barcelona’s reported interest in this swap deal signals their win-now mindset and ambition to get the very best out of Lionel Messi’s final years with the club. But such a move also shows the board’s lackadaisical long-term planning. Pjanic is on the back end of his prime while the 23-year-old Arthur is still improving and polishing his overall midfield play as he heads into his prime years. And as mentioned, the Bosnian international would not provide a grand improvement to the point where he could elevate the team’s play in La Liga and the Champions League.

In the big picture, Arthur is a valuable player who the club must view as a long-term part of their future plans. He is not the kind of player who comes around often. His play style as a press-resistant and ball-advancing midfielder fit what Barca sees in a midfielder for their desired 4-3-3 formation. Not many other midfielders in Europe can wiggle out of tight space or fend off pressure from an opponent in the same way Arthur has exceptionally showcased over his two seasons with the club.

Barcelona have a gem of a talent who possesses all the tools needed to be Camp Nou’s next generational midfielder. But with the board’s recent history of questionable transfers over the years, do not be surprised if Arthur becomes a star elsewhere.