Leicester City have been linked with a move to sign a player who has been compared to Barcelona great Xavi in a move that could significantly boosts the club’s Premier League survival chances.
New Leicester City boss Steve Cooper got his rein off to a good start as the Foxes beat Villarreal 2-1 in their first friendly of pre-season on Saturday.
Two players who played key roles in winning the Championship were on the scoresheet, with Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi both on target.
Cooper would have learned a lot about his new squad in the behind closed doors friendly against the La Liga side and will perhaps have an even better idea about areas he wants to strengthen this summer.
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Now, the club have been linked with a move for a player who earned the praise of none other than Lionel Messi whilst at Barcelona and has no future at his current club.
Leicester City interested in Juventus midfielder Arthur
That player is Arthur, the Brazilian midfielder who has played for Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus.
Leicester are thought to be prioritising a left-back, centre-midfielder, winger and striker this summer.
Whilst the midfielder has been widely assumed to be an attack-minded player to replace the departed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the way Cooper set up his side against Villarreal suggests he may not utilise this kind of player.
Instead, they appear to be targeting a more defensive midfielder in Arthur, with Gianluca di Marzio reporting: “Arthur is an idea from Como. The newly promoted club in Serie A is carrying out a large market and has targeted the Brazilian midfielder, who returned to Juventus after the loan to Fiorentina last season.”
The report goes on to highlight Leicester’s interest, saying: “The operation, however, is not easy. Given the high salary of the former Barcelona player, Como could only proceed if Juventus contributed. The 1996 class is also followed abroad and especially appeals to Everton and Leicester City.”
Leicester could help Arthur revive career
Arthur is a player who needs to get his career back on track.
After making the move from Gremio in his homeland to Barcelona in 2018, the 22-cap Brazil international has struggled to become a regular anywhere.
The 27-year-old is clearly a talent, with Lionel Messi comparing him to Barca legend Xavi in an interview on Radio Catalunya soon after he arrived in Spain, but is in danger of seeing his career slip away.
After two years at Barcelona, Arthur was sold to Juventus but was loaned to Liverpool for the 2022/23 season where he made just one appearance in the entire campaign.
Last season, Arthur was loaned to Fiorentina where he enjoyed a much more fruitful spell, playing 48 games in all competitions.
The deep-lying midfielder looked back to his best and that is what looks to have piqued Leicester’s interest.
Given the fact that Arthur has not been included in Juventus’ pre-season tour, he is free to leave should a suitable offer come in and Leicester could well provide just that.