FIFA agent shares official approach update as Everton boss Sean Dyche to replace Amadou Onana
Juventus are still a long way from an agreement with the only club to contact them with interest in Arthur Melo amid rumours of a move to Everton, according to David Lavelle.
The FIFA and FA registered agent told Bianconera News on 6 August that nobody has made an official approach for the Brazilian midfielder despite Premier League links to the likes of the Toffees, West Ham and Wolves, and he is “very difficult” to move in what is proving to be a “slow” market for midfielders.
He added that the former Liverpool loanee’s salary is “not outrageous” and it was “not crazy” to see him return to the Premier League, but having spoken to Juve sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli he doesn’t expect the move to happen until the end of the window.
Lavelle said: “I think he will leave. I’ve spoken personally to Cristiano in relation to Arthur. There are a few clubs interested. But it will be, I think, it will be a deal to be done in the last two weeks of the transfer window .
“There have been rumours about several clubs. There have been rumours about Wolverhampton, Everton and West Ham.
“Just rumours, but there has been no official approach. From what I know, there is currently one club that has expressed interest and I will not name them.
“The only thing I can say is that I have spoken to the club and I have just contacted Cristiano about a potential offer on the player and that this club is very, very, very far from an agreement.”
Everton linked to Arthur Melo after Amadou Onana to Aston Villa
Sean Dyche is believed to be focusing on central midfield as one of the remaining priorities of the transfer window after Amadou Onana’s £50million move to Aston Villa [Harry Watkinson, 2 August].
Links to Arthur have persisted throughout the summer with the Old Lady having no plans for him and looking to offload him.
But it seems unlikely that Everton would be the club that Lavelle has alluded to coming forward to speak to Juventus about a move as The Athletic reported on 22 July that the club had “distanced themselves” from the possibility when asked.
It is believed to be a cheap and easy deal to do if Dyche is interested [GiveMeSport, 16 July] but it appears no club has been that eager to do it.
Kalvin Phillips may be at the top of the Toffees boss’ list if he can get him from Manchester City, but the likes of Chelsea youngster Lesley Ugochukwu is also a candidate on loan [Foot Mercato, 13 July].
A lot can change as clubs get increasingly desperate towards the deadline so Arthur may get his move away from Turin, after bouncing back from a nightmare Liverpool loan with a better campaign at Fiorentina last term.
But it doesn’t seem like the Brazilian is likely to turn up on the other side of the Merseyside divide unless there is no alternative.
In other Everton news, Kieran Maguire has shared an update on a “big problem” for the Toffees with the possibility of a third points deduction hanging over them.
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