FC Barcelona Reportedly Interested In Signing Brazil U20 Star Arthur From America-MG

FC Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares, or simply Arthur, from America-MG.

The right back has been impressing at the ongoing South American U20 Championships where Barca target Vitor Roque is currently the top scorer on six goals while Brazil close in on the title.

Barca have also been impressed by Arthur further down the pitch, however, according to SPORT, and could make a fresh approach to sign him for their reserve team Barca Athletic.

The Catalans have tried and failed to land two right backs in recent times with deals for Wesley from Flamengo and Los Angeles Galaxy’s Julian Araujo both falling through.

Arthur has caught the scouting department’s eye for Brazil as the Blaugrana track Roque. This week, it has been reported that Barca are already negotiating Roque’s transfer for the 2023/2024 season with his club Athletico Paranaense, and they could soon return to talks with America-MG regarding Arthur.

Arthur switching allegiances has already been discussed between the two parties, but no deal could be reached as the club in Minas Gerais state wanted to sell him permanently and not loan him out as Barca wished.

Arthur has made 16 senior appearances for his club and has stood out for his offensive nature typical of Barca right backs.

In the first team, Barca currently don’t have a natural right back other than Sergio Roberto with central defender Jules Kounde covering the position.

Barca will reportedly continue to monitor Arthur’s progress, and may make a fresh approach for him in the summer when they are expected to land his international teammate Roque for a fee ranging between €35-40mn ($37.6-43mn).

Arthur is rated at a far lower €200,000 ($215,000) by Transfermarkt and the details of his contract are unknown. Even if he cost a couple of million euros, though, it wouldn’t hurt to take a punt on Arthur and see how he turns out.

Even if he never progresses to the first team, Barca could spin a profit on the 19-year-old who turns 20 next month with most PremierPINC
League clubs able to pay 10 times that amount without a second thought.