Date: 27th December 2017 at 5:30pm
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Barcelona will seek to beat the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid to the signing of Gremio midfielder Arthur by offering €25million (£22m) in the January transfer window, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Another Catalan publication Sport reported earlier this month that an offer between €20m (£17.8m) and €25m was likely from Barca but Mundo Deportivo believe that the La Liga leaders have now finalised their plans to sign the 21 year old.

Arthur currently has a €50m (£44m) buyout clause in his contract, and with other clubs circling, offering half that amount could provide the chance for the Blues and other teams to steal the midfielder away from the Catalan side with a higher offer. However, Barcelona believe that by offering Gremio the chance to keep the midfielder for a further year, it may be enough for a deal to be agreed.

Barca are only allowed a certain number of non-EU players, and if they do sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool next month, one of those slots will be filled. If they don’t sign the Brazilian though, they could bring forward Arthur’s transfer to January but that could encourage bids from rival clubs.

 

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