Former Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo is set to have his Juventus contract ripped up, leaving him without a club.
Melo's Juventus contract termination
Melo, 30, who made just one appearance during a disappointing loan at Anfield during the 2022/23 season, has spent the last six years at Juventus. The Brazilian joined the Serie A side for £68.5million from Barcelona in 2020, in the same deal that sent Miralem Pjanic in the other direction for £51m.
But he hasn't been able to make a consistent impact in Turin. After playing 63 matches in his first two seasons at Juve, Melo has been out on loan for the last four years, spending time at Liverpool, Fiorentina, Girona and Gremio.
However, in that time, he has made just 100 appearances and struggled with numerous injury and fitness problems. It has led to more speculation around his future and now Sky Sport Italy have reported that Juventus and Melo are working on an agreement to tear up his contract, which right now expires in June 2027.
Failed Liverpool loan spell
That would allow him to join a new club on a free transfer, rather than send him out on loan for a fifth successive season, after Gremio's financial situation prevented them from making the move permanent.
Melo signed for Liverpool on loan in September 2022 as Jurgen Klopp looked to strengthen his midfield after losing Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury. The Reds paid Juventus a £3.9m loan fee with a £32.3m option to buy him at the end of that season.
But Melo's time at the Reds was nothing short of disastrous. He made his debut as a substitute in Liverpool's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Napoli - and didn't feature again after that. It's believed Melo's Liverpool career was blighted by physical condition problems after training alone while he was at Juventus. He returned to Juventus having totalled just 13 minutes in a Reds shirt.
Reactions from Klopp and Melo
Reflecting on Melo's loan at Liverpool, Klopp said in May 2023: "I would also like to wish Arthur Melo well as his loan period comes to an end. Circumstances meant Arthur was not able to play as much as he would have liked but his professionalism and ability were clear to all who worked with him."
Meanwhile, Melo thanked Liverpool and the fans for their support during his loan. "As my contract with Liverpool comes to an end, I would like to thank everyone (coaches, players and staff) for all their support over the last season," he said soon after Klopp's statement. "I want you to know that I will have an eternal gratitude to the club. The fans are undoubtedly one of the most incredible around the world. The emotion of a game at Anfield is really impressive. Finally, I would like to thank the entire community of Liverpool and the region for welcoming my family over the last few months. I will always have beautiful memories of the days I lived here. Good luck for the future!"
