Barcelona target Arthur Melo poses in club shirt - alongside the man who landed Neymar

Daniel Edwards

Barcelona target Arthur Melo poses in club shirt - alongside the man who landed Neymar image

Gremio's wonderkid Arthur Melo posed in a Barcelona shirt on Friday as speculation heightened around a move to Camp Nou. 

The 21-year-old was given the man of the match award in Wednesday's Copa Libertadores final against Lanus after a masterful first-half performance. 

Melo was forced off early after the break, but Gremio went on to win the prestigious title for the third time in their history. 

Barca had already been linked to the young talent, but a photo released showing Melo alongside a senior Blaugrana official and in their shirt will only encourage rumours that a move is imminent. 

Arthur was pictured alongside Andre Cury (pictured to the left of Melo with his arm around the player), a member of the Barca scouting network who specialises in South American football. 

Cury is renowned as the man who allegedly convinced Neymar to join the Catalans back in 2014, and has reportedly been leading the club's observation of the Gremio star. 

According to Sport, the official was at Wednesday's final and joined Arthur for dinner after the game. 

The player's exquisite passing has seen him compared to Andres Iniesta, and with the veteran midfielder inching towards the end of his career Melo may be considered as a perfect replacement by Barca.

However, agent Jorge Machado, who represents Melo, has urged a bit of caution, telling Globoesporte that the meeting was nothing more than "talks".

"This was leaked out, I don't know who did it, someone passing on the street. It was just talks," he said. 

"Who knows who did it, maybe Barcelona?"

Gremio has previously rejected an offer of €35 million for 100 per cent of the player's rights. 

The 21-year-old is under contract until 2021 and has a buyout clause set at €50 in his deal. 

 

Daniel Edwards