Premier League title holders Chelsea - according to a report published by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Daily Star) - are believed to be one of a host of European superpowers which are interested in snagging 21-year-old Gremio ace Arthur's signature. Although it's said the Blues will face stern competition from fellow English titans Manchester United, who are also supposedly monitoring the Brazilian international's development in his homeland's top-flight, the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, after successfully breaking into his current employer's match-day fold this season.
With the January transfer window edging nearer, Gremio, who are second in their respective standings and 10 points behind Corinthians with just one game left to play on the calendar, will surely be bracing themselves for a transfer frenzy at the turn of the New Year, though it's fair to speculate Arthur will not depart 'Immortal Tricolor' on the cheap, as the youngster is supposedly valued at £26m.
Compatriots
Chelsea has a long, illustrious history of scouring South America for fresh raw talent, with their ranks, in the present day and formally, harbouring a glittering array of Brazilian nationals including the likes of David Luiz, Kennedy, Willian, Oscar, Ramires and Lucas Piazon.
If Arthur, a diminutive attacking midfielder, is indeed to pack his bags for English shores, it's presumed that he'd certainly have no trouble seamlessly integrating into life at Stamford Bridge, given the club evidently attracts a large number of compatriots to their door.
Coincidentally, reports have also arisen recently that Willian, who emphatically scored Chelsea's equaliser against Liverpool in their 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday, has allegedly fallen out of favour in Antonio Conte's squad. So if the murmurs resonating from Chelsea's camp are true, Arthur could be drafted in as a potential replacement if Willian is to be ushered out of the club in January.
Form
Arthur is certainly one of Brazil's brightest fledgeling professionals on the endless conveyor belt of potential future world-beaters, though he's recognised as an asset at club level, he still has much to learn and accomplish if he's going to live up to the glowing expectation surrounding his growing career.
The adaptable offensive outlet has featured for Gremio both domestically and in cup competitions 38 times during the current campaign and has managed to register 1 goal and 1 solitary assist to his name, a record which doesn't necessarily scream potency, though it does offer an element of promise given the impressive amount of appearances he's consistently stowed under his belt this term.