Former Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo is reportedly closing in on a move to Fiorentina, perhaps opening the door for Manchester United to make their fourth signing of the summer. The Red Devils have already tied up deals for Mason Mount and Andre Onana alongside a short-term contract for veteran defender Jonny Evans, but are still planning to improve the squad.
Arthur spent last season on loan at Anfield in the hope of providing some much-needed quality and depth to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield. There was an option to buy him from Juventus, but having spent the majority of the season out through injury the Reds opted to look elsewhere and have already signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Brazilian played just 13 minutes for Liverpool in his sole appearance for the club thanks to injuries, while he remained surplus to requirements at Juventus, who have secured him a loan to Fiorentina according to Fabrizio Romano. He could end up being a replacement for Sofyan Amrabat, who United have been targeting.
Once deals to land a goalkeeper in Onana and a striker in Hojlund have been completed, United are expected to turn their attention towards midfield reinforcements. Though Mount has joined, Fred and Scott McTominay could both be heading in the opposite direction and Amrabat has been seen as someone who could be a valuable addition.
He has reportedly been given extra time off amid interest from the Red Devils, though Fiorentina are holding out for £26m for the Moroccan World Cup star. United are said to be intensifying their efforts to land Amrabat and this weekend could be crucial in terms of brokering a deal with the Serie A club.
Fiorentina are willing to let him leave for their asking price, though United are operating on a restricted budget amid their Financial Fair Play concerns and the ongoing takeover process which has entered its 240th day – with no end in sight.
Whether United are able to bid imminently for the 26-year-old remains to be seen, though if West Ham up their interest in McTominay as a potential replacement for Declan Rice it would certainly help fund a move for Amrabat – though he will have to compete with Casemiro, Mount, Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo has impressed Ten Hag throughout pre-season and the youngster is expected to remain with the first-team squad as opposed to going out on loan.
However, Amrabat has shown on the biggest stage that he can produce and with Fiorentina potentially already signing a replacement, it could mean a big step forward for United’s pursuit of the midfielder.
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