Gremio officials are due in Barcelona next week to ‘close’ the transfer of midfielder Arthur to the Camp Nou, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has made 52 first team appearances for the Brazilian club and was a key part of his side’s squad in their run to the Copa Libertadores.
Diario AS cites a report in Brazilian outlet UOL which claims Executive Director Andre Zanotta, CEO Carlos Amoedo and lawyer Gabriel Vieira are due to fly to the Catalan capital.
Previous report in Spain had claimed the Blaugrana’s sporting director Robert Fernandez flew to Brazil to complete the deal, while the player said his move was ‘on track’.
“My move to the club is well on track, but nothing has yet been signed,” Arthur told reporters, as cited by Diario Sport, last month.
Suggestions are that Arthur’s move to the Camp Nou would be for a total of €40m and would be complete in January 2019, although the midfielder’s release clause stands at €50m.
The Catalans already have three non-EU players on their books in Yerry Mina (who could be loaned out), Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho, but the former Liverpool player is applying for a Portuguese passport to free up an extra space.
