Gremio refute claims of €40m Arthur agreement with Barcelona

Gremio midfielder Arthur has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but speculation suggesting a deal has been struck is supposedly false.

Reports of a €40million agreement between Gremio and Barcelona for midfielder Arthur are wide of the mark, according to the Brazilian club's president Romildo Bolzan.

Barcelona's interest in the 21-year-old midfielder is long-standing, having been linked with him regularly towards the end of 2017, when Arthur was a key part of the Gremio side which won the Copa Libertadores.

Arthur was photographed wearing the Catalan club's jersey in a meeting with their sporting director Robert Fernandez in December.

Although that angered Gremio, they have been in regular dialogue with Barca ever since over a potential move, with reports in Spain claiming on Tuesday that an agreement had finally been made.

But Gremio insists such claims are purely speculation, with a deal still to be struck.

Speaking to Radio Bandeirantes, Bolzan said: "A deal has still not been finalised.

"There have been plenty of discussions, but at this stage the transfer cannot be considered a foregone conclusion."