Barcelona declare midfielder Arthur intransferrable (Sport)

Barcelona have earmarked a group of players to be sold to make money in the next transfer window. However there are some players who are untouchable, who will not be considered, even, as potential makeweights.

Leo Messi, obviously, and other youngsters seen as the future of the team like Frenkie de Jong and Arthur Melo. The Brazilian is part of this other group.

SPORT have learned that despite rumours of teams that want him, including Inter Milan as part of the deal for Lautaro Martinez, Barcelona say Arthur is off the market. Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to leave the club's next president with a team to take forward.

For his potential, age, being a Brazil starter, Arthur is on an admirable trajectory. He's valued as the fifth most expensive player in the squad (70m euros per Transfermarkt), behind Messi, Griezmann, Ter Stegen and De Jong. He has had some problems with injury and fitness but Barcelona think he is gold.

POTENTIAL

They think Arthur, regularly compared with Xavi, will make the jump to being a top level player. They hope that like with Xavi, he will improve as time goes on. He has a contract until 2024 and a release clause of 400m euros. He doesn't want to leave either, comfortable in Barcelona and knowing that his DNA is the same as Barca's.