Barcelona agree £34million option to sign Brazilian star Arthur from Gremio for end of season.
Attacking midfielder was one of best players in last term’s Copa Libertadores and is long-term target for Catalans.
The club have confirmed an agreement has been reached, and they have the option to sign him for £26m plus £8m in add-ons in July. This is a complicated transfer as Barcelona currently do not have space to register any more non-EU players following the signings of Paulinho, Coutinho and Mina.
The Arthur deal looked like being in a troublesome situation shortly after news first eminated of Barcelona’s interest in Arthur. Gremio reported the Catalans to Fifa for tapping up after he was pictured in a club shirt.
Their opening offer of £22m had been considered well below the Brazilian side’s asking price — and negotiations were prolonged.
Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United have been monitoring the Brazilian midfielder’s progress in recent months.
