Before finally rejoining Juventus this summer, Arthur Melo may have to forfeit some part of his Barcelona’s salary.
This is following the refusal of the Brazilian to report for training duties with Barcelona after agreeing to a swap deal in July with Miralem Pjanic.
This is has made the Catalan club President, Josep Maria Bartomeu say that Arthur is facing disciplinary action for “lack of respect” towards the club.
The Brazilian, who joined the Catalan giant from Gremio had initially insisted not leaving Barcelona after being told that he won’t be getting first-team opportunities but later agreed to the swap deal, that will triple his wage at Juve.
It was also gathered that they agreed in principle that he will leave the club after their Champions League season is concluded this month.
No one has given Arthur Melo permission to stay in Brazil – Bartomeu
According to Bartomeu, while speaking to Diario Sport, Arthur thinks that his Barca’s chapter his over after completing the La Liga campaign. He failed to show up for training on June 27 after a week off and remains in Brazil.
“He has decided not to return because he believes his chapter at Barca has ended.
“It is his decision. No one has given him permission. I assume what has happened is that he has gone to Brazil and wants to extend his holidays. That has forced us to open disciplinary proceedings against him because he has to play with Barca until the season is completed. In this case in the Champions League, just like Pjanic.
“It was an agreement between the clubs. What he has done is a lack of respect for his teammates because the team wants to do well in the Champions League and also to the club. It is unjustifiable and totally incomprehensible,” he added.
Barcelona is holding a 1-1 first-leg advantage over Napoli that will be coming to the Camp Nou for the return leg of the last 16.
Juve on the other hand suffered a 1-0 loss at Lyon. The Serie A winners will now be hoping to overturn the deficit when the Ligue 1 side comes to their home ground in next week’s Champions League round-of-16 return leg.
Bartomeu also expressed his surprise by Arthur’s stance despite reports that the Brazil international wanted to end his contract with the Catalan giants immediately.
“Apart from the fact that if a worker doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid, it’s not logical that playing for such an important trophy, a player decides to erase himself [from the team],” he said.
Arthur, who has made 28 appearances for the club this season was an unused substitute in Barca’s last six league games. He last played for the club in a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on June 27.
