BARCELONA chiefs are in Brazil as they look to finalise a deal for highly-rated midfielder Arthur, according to reports in Spain.
The Gremio ace, who was sensational en route to Copa Libertadores last season, has been a long-term Nou Camp target.
The Catalans were forced to issue an apology during the summer after being accused of “tapping up” when Arthur was pictured in a Barcelona shirt, and it looked like any move could be put in jeopardy.
However, Marca report the Nou Camp giants have sent an entourage to Brazil in a bid to finalise a transfer.
Gremio president Romildo Bolzan has made it clear no deal would be done unless the player’s £44million transfer clause is met.
Should they come to an agreement, Arthur, 21, would be likely to join at the end of the season or potentially in the summer of 2019.
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Barcelona are overloaded in the midfield areas, while they also have no free Non-EU slots.
The La Liga leaders are not willing to pay the full release clause, and hope that, by sending him back on loan for the remainder of the campaign at least, they may be able to negotiate a lower fe.
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A meeting is expected to take place today, with the possibility a deal could be finalised before the end of the transfer window.
Arthur, who is also a target for Inter Milan, is one of the most highly-rated young players in Brazil and has been compared to Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
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