Following a disciplinary action, Arthur Melo decided not to return to training or future games, according to Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Bartomeu believes that the midfielder is showing a “lack of respect” by not coming to practice. Since joining Barcelona on the summer of 2018, Arthur has made 71 appearances (28 appearances this season), six assists, and four goals.
Barca Decides to Sell Arthur
Arthur’s “lack of respect” forced Barca to sell the Brazilian to Juventus by the end of the season. In return, Juventus will give Miralem Pjanic. The club would have renewed Arthur’s contract, but the Barca’s financial crisis probits them to.
Barcelona instead sold Arthur to Juventus for a fee of £66million. In return, the Turin club sold the Bosnian international Miralem Pjanic to the Catalan club for £45.8m.
Arthur Wants to Leave
Even though Arthur was to transfer to Juventus when the season ends, the midfielder ignored training on June 27 and remained on his vacation in Brazil.
Arthur disappointed Bartomeu. Bartomeu reveals to Diario Sport, “What he has done is a lack of respect to his teammates because the team wants to do well in the Champions League and also to the club. It is unjustifiable and totally incomprehensible.”
Bartomeu has revealed that Arthur wants to leave the club. Bartomeu continues, “He has decided not to return because he believes his chapter at Barca has ended,” Arthur has other reasons to leave Barca. Arthur’s salary at Barca will be tripled when he plays for Juventus.
“It is his decision. No one has given him permission. I assume what has happened is that he has gone to Brazil and wants to extend his holidays. That has forced us to open disciplinary proceedings against him because he has to play with Barca until the season is completed. In this case in the Champions League, just like Pjanic.”
Arthur has shown no interest in playing for Barca anymore. The Brazilian did not attend the last six league games for the club, and his last game with Barcelona was against Celta Vigo (2-2). There are some rumours that Arthur has told Juventus that he will do as little as he can to play for Barcelona.
Barca Disapproves
The club has shown great disapproval in Arthur. The Champions League can redeem Barca of their performance in La Liga. The Catalans got second place in the league. Arthur refuses to help Barcelona win the Champions League, which will be much harder for the club to do well. Bartomeu has slammed Arthur for showing a lack of respect.
Messi wants to do as much as he can to win the Champions League and is pushing for Marcelo Bielsa to replace Quique Setien.
From witnessing Arthur’s attitude, he will stay in Brazil until the season ends. Arthur has even said in a call, “I’m not going back, I’m staying in Brazil.”
“Apart from the fact that if a worker doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, it’s not logical that playing for such an important trophy, a player decides to erase himself (from the team),” Bartomeu said.
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