Marseille Plot Winter Swoop For Out-Of-Favor Juventus Midfielder

Olympique Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi looks determined to do business with Juventus in the January transfer window. After taking an interest in soon-to-be free agent Paul Pogba, the Italian tactician has inquired about Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo.

According to Tuttosport via Calciomercato, the out-of-sorts playmaker has caught De Zerbi’s eye despite his fringe status at Juventus. Despite being included in Juve’s Champions League and Serie A squads, the former Barcelona star isn’t part of Thiago Motta’s project.

Therefore, Marseille could tap into Bianconeri’s talent pool again. The French club hired former Juventus vice-captain Adrien Rabio on a Bosman deal in September, taking advantage of the 29-year-old’s inability to find a new employer after severing ties with the Turin powerhouse at the end of last season.

As if Rabiot’s arrival wasn’t enough, the Ligue 1 title hopefuls consider robbing Juventus of another midfielder. Pogba has emerged as a decent option for De Zerbi’s team, given that he would likely arrive on a free transfer.

Juventus and Pogba are working on terminating his contract at the Allianz Stadium. There were talks Motta’s side contemplated an identical resolution to Arthur’s first-team wobble. However, that’s no longer an option.

Motta has yet to hand the 28-year-old any minutes this season, making it abundantly clear he doesn’t see the ex-Fiorentina man suitable to his plan to rebuild Juventus from scratches. Meanwhile, there’s no doubt that Arthur wants to play.

He enjoyed a decent season-long loan at Fiorentina last term. Perhaps Marseille could offer the Juventus misfit another opportunity to reignite his faltering career.