Liverpool transfer flop could sign for Arsenal in unexpected summer swap deal

Brazilian former Barcelona midfielder Arthur Melo only managed to play 13 minutes for Liverpool during an injury-hit season-long loan spell in the campaign before last. But the 27-year-old could soon be back in the Premier League again.

A few weeks after being linked with West Ham and Everton, Arsenal could be offered Arthur. Mikel Arteta is said to be a big fan of the player, even though he never showed his full potential under Jurgen Klopp during his time in England.

Italian outlet Tutto Juve has suggested that a swap deal involving Jakub Kiwior, who Juventus wants to sign from the Gunners, could be on the cards. Kiwior is valued at around $21m (£17m/€20m) but Arthur could be used as a make-weight.

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Arthur is valued at around a similar amount and therefore the players could swap places. "I feel really good, phenomenal," Arthur told reporters last month after getting his career back on track while on loan at Fiorentina, where he played 33 times and successfully avoided being sidelined.

"This is the best moment of my career," he said. "Physically, it’s been the season that I’ve played the most minutes in over all these years. Also with much more experience under my belt after having played in several leagues and teams. It’s a mix, mentally and in terms of maturity, I feel phenomenal."

Liverpool.com says: Arthur was not good at all for Liverpool but only because he was injured. Had he been fit, things could have been different. He certainly has talent but it would be a gamble for Arteta to back himself to unlock it after a largely frustrating last few years. Is his spell with Fiorentina enough to convince the Gunners boss that Arthur has turned a corner?

Arsenal has spent a lot of money in the last few transfer windows, though, and so might need to be clever with a few deals. Kiwior hasn't really made a huge impact so swapping him for more depth in the center of the pitch could be a sensible decision, especially with Thomas Partey potentially set to move on.