Arsenal might have been tracking players like Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo all January, but as things stand, it looks like they’re not getting either player.
Vlahovic, as we all know, has signed for Juventus in a mega-money deal. The Serbian was pursued by the Gunners since the summer but has penned a long-term contract in Turin this week. Meanwhile, the Gunners have been chasing Vlahovic’s now Juve teammate, Arthur Melo, as a midfield option.
And while hopes have been high all winter of bringing the Brazilian in, things seem to have hit the buffers. Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the deal to bring Melo to Arsenal is now completely off.
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Arsenal have wanted to sign Melo due to their depleted numbers in the middle of the park. Lack of discipline from Xhaka and Partey hasn’t helped proceedings. Further, Mikel Arteta also allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave on loan.
Melo, then, was seen as the ideal player for the Gunners. But, alas, it seems like this deal is not happening either. It means that Edu and Arteta will now face a frantic few days if they wish to improve the squad.
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Is this the theme in North London this month? Across the divide, Tottenham are doing their best to royally mess things up this window, and now Arsenal seem to be doing the same.
We all know Juventus have played a bit of hard-ball here with Melo. But this should have been wrapped up weeks ago really for the Gunners. Now, they face the ridiculous scenario of trying to get someone else lined up in just a few days.
Arthur Melo would have been ideal for Arsenal and it now seems a dead deal. Certainly, Gunners fans will be less than impressed come Monday if they end up with nothing.
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