Barcelona’s new signing Arthur could turn out to be "the next Iniesta", according to football writer Andy Mitten.
The 21 year old sealed a transfer to the Blaugrana yesterday, with €30 million plus €9 million in potential add-ons agreed to take the midfielder to the club this summer.
From his travels to Porto Alegre, where Gremio play, and talking to former Manchester United midfielder Anderson, Mitten believes Arthur could prove to be a very bright prospect and shrewd piece business for the European giants.
“When I was there in December, I arrived in the city just as they won the Copa Libertadores. All the fans and the people at the club were bemoaning the fact that Arthur was not going to be able to play.
“I met Anderson a few days later. He said this guy’s got the potential to be the next Andres Iniesta, that he would fit in well with the style that Barcelona play.
“There’s not always a given that a player will do well at Barca, but €30 million plus variables - I think he could be an absolute bargain if he’s as good as people who know a lot about football think he is and think he can be”.
Simon Doyle