Crystal Palace could now sign a Brazil international as his current club aim to sell him this summer.
The Eagles signed a first outfield Brazilian player since Andre Moritz for the first time in 2023 as a £26m deal was agreed with Flamengo for Matheus Franca.
Now, Dougie Freedman could bring another Brazilian to Crystal Palace – if reports in Italy are accurate…
Crystal Palace looking at Arthur Melo
A story from Tutto Juve in Italy now claims that Crystal Palace are keen to sign Arthur Melo from Juventus.
The Serie A side want to offload the Brazil international this summer, as he does not feature in Thiago Motta’s plans at the Allianz Stadium.
Tutto Juve add that West Ham and Everton are also considering a move to sign Arthur – who spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Liverpool before returning to Turin – while Saudi Pro League clubs are monitoring his situation too.
The South American spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, helping the Italian outfit reach the UEFA Conference League final with two goals and four assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Brazil international is not needed
In our view, it would be a waste of Freedman’s time – and a waste of our financial resources as a club – to pursue Arthur this summer.
The 27-year-old is a central midfielder, an area where Oliver Glasner already has Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Naouirou Ahamada and David Ozoh as options to cover just two positions.
Therefore, it would be madness to sign another central midfielder this summer, although we would take Tutto Juve’s story with a huge pinch of salt anyway, as Italian sources can often produce strange stories.
Be sure to keep an eye on developments at Crystal Palace regardless, as a Norwegian wonderkid seems likeliest to be signed next as a replacement for Michael Olise – putting the imminent arrival of Daichi Kamada aside, that is…
