Why Jhon Arias Deserves A $20 Million Premier League Transfer

Jhon Arias is reportedly on the move. Fluminense is close to a deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers to transfer the midfilder for $23.3 million, according to The Athletic.

On Thursday night Arias waved farewell to fans in his last home game as a Fluminense player, after the Rio de Janeiro team was defeated 2-0 by new league leader Cruzeiro.

Jhon Arias Has International Pedigree

Jhon Arias shone for Fluminense, who defeated Inter Milan on the road to the FIFA 2025 Club World Cup semi final. Arias was voted in the team of the tournament and scored a wonderful free-kick in the group stages. It was one for the highlight reel and turned heads worldwide, but as ever his all-round play was the most impressive, helping him to earn this lucrative move.

Arias was also crucial when Fluminense won its first ever Copa Libertadores title in 2023, playing 13 games and providing five goal contributions during that continental campaign.

Since debuting for Colombia on June 5th 2022, Jhon Arias has appeared 29 times for the national team and been a key component in a squad enjoying it’s best run of form for many years.

Alongside the likes of Luis Díaz of Liverpool and Richard Ríos of Palmeiras, Arias has and Colombia have enjoyed a two-year cycle of great success. Colombia has defeated Brazil and Argentina recently as well as making it to extra-time against Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final.

Now Arias has helped his nation to the verge of FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification. Just one game away from glory, Colombia can return to the biggest stage after missing out on the 2022 World Cup, and on current form Arias will be one of the first names on the team sheet.

A Deserved Move To The Premier League

Arias is a gifted footballer who usually operates on the right for Fluminense or Colombia but is capable of playing on either flank or in the midfield. His domination of the basics and ‘soccer IQ’ means Arias is a very adaptable player who is both dangerous in attack and reliable in defence.

Arias reminds me of Gini Wijnaldum at Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Wijnaldum played more centrally but the ability that stands out the most is the same. The capacity to keep hold of the ball under almost any circumstance.

The Colombian can have three or four men around him and still manage to wriggle out with possession. Whether it’s darting down the wing to create a chance, or getting his team out of a tight situation at the back. He is a cool head in tense situations and knows when to speed up an attack or slow down the play.

Arias has already played 35 games of club football this calendar year and twice been on international trips with Colombia. He hasn’t had a break since January, and now has a Premier League preseason and 10 months of football to contest with.

It will be a big physical test for the winger. Especially when you consider that this run culminates in the FIFA 2026 World Cup which is likely to be the proudest moment of Arias’ career. Although the player will surely be excited at what is to come.

He has been an incredible servant to Fluminense and really deserves this move. Despite being technically gifted Arias is also one of the hardest workers on the team. With and without the ball Arias appears to cover every blade of grass, and on many recent occasions he has held this Fluminense team on his back.

Hopefully a strong South American contingent in the Wolves’ squad, including ex-Fluminense teammate André, can make Jhon Arias feel at home. It will be interesting to see how quickly the Colombian can find his feet in the Premier League and start making an impact.