The Reds completed the signing of the 26-year-old on deadline day after a late search for a new midfielder. Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita are among those injured at Anfield. As a result, manager Jurgen Klopp has agreed to reconsider not signing a new midfielder. After revealing that one of his previous targets had decided to move elsewhere, Liverpool pursued Arthur. And the various reports surrounding the deal claimed it was a straight loan deal with no option to buy for the Premier League club. But Juventus’ official press release on the transfer claims otherwise. The Serie A side say Liverpool can pay €37.5m (£32.3m) to tie Arthur down to a longer-term deal. Liverpool’s official statement on the signing made no mention of such a deal. Juventus’ statement added that the clause, if triggered, would be paid over two years.
More clubs wanted Arthur
Meanwhile, Sky Sports News reveal more details about Liverpool’s Arthur loan move, There were three other clubs keen on signing the 22-capped Brazil international, who instead settled on Anfield as his next destination. Liverpool will pay the bulk of the player’s wages. Arthur wants to play at the highest level as he pursues a return to his national team for the World Cup. Speaking in his first interview as a Liverpool player, the midfielder described it as a “dream” to move to the red side of Merseyside. He added that his “ideas and visions” fit in with what Klopp wanted this season at Anfield.
Liverpool are hoping for a big impact
Arthur initially arrived at Barcelona with high hopes from both the club and the player for his career. But after two years, he moved to Juventus in a cash swap deal, with Miralem Pjanic moving in the opposite direction. Since then, Arthur has had a difficult journey with injury and also struggling to adapt under Andrea Pirlo and Massimiliano Allegri. Therefore, while he has yet to prove himself, there is certainly hope at Liverpool that he can. Still, the £32.3m buyout option looks tough – at this stage anyway – for the midfielder. However, he could still enjoy a standout remainder of the season at Anfield.
