The agent of Arthur Melo has provided insight into how Liverpool eventually moved to sign the midfielder in the summer.
Arthur signed for the Reds on deadline day on loan from Juventus. However, the Brazilian has played just 13 minutes after suffering a serious muscle injury. He had surgery back in October with the initial time frame on his recovery ruling him out until early 2023.
Liverpool moved for Arthur after injuries to the midfielders already at the club. Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were on the sidelines, while there was later an injury suffered to Jordan Henderson.
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It was the knock for the Reds captain that prompted Liverpool to move forward with signing Arthur. That’s according to Federico Pastorello, the agent of Arthur, who has explained how the club contacted him over a move for the midfielder. And he claims Liverpool have "previously given signs" of transfer interest.
"The operation in August was born out of the stubbornness in look for something,” Pastorello told TuttomercatoWeb .
“Liverpool had previously given signs of technical approval, but they didn't have the space.
“We always remained on the spot by monitoring any injuries and other players' performances: at the same time, we maintained contact with Liverpool's technical management.
"Then we had some luck over the others' misfortune: in August Liverpool had to deal with several injuries and on 28/29 August, while we were also negotiating with other clubs because staying at Juventus was the last of the hypotheses, it happens that Henderson gets hurt.
“At that point they called us, it was the penultimate day of the transfer market: Liverpool called us saying they wanted to close the deal and from there we got down to business.
“We left for Liverpool on the last transfer day for visits and signings."
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