Juventus have terminated the contract of Brazilian midfielder Arthur Melo, with reports suggesting the 30-year-old is set to join Turkish club Besiktas.
The decision brings an end to Arthur’s time with Juventus, who signed him in 2020 after he had established himself as one of Europe’s most highly regarded midfielders during his spell at Barcelona.
Arthur played an important role in Barcelona’s 2018-19 league title success. However, his form declined significantly after moving to Juventus, where he was unable to reproduce the performances that had made him such a prominent figure in European football.
During his time in Turin, Arthur made 63 appearances for Juventus. He scored once and provided one assist.
The midfielder’s time at the club was also interrupted by a series of loan moves. He joined Liverpool, where he made only one appearance, before later spending time away from Juventus with Fiorentina, Girona and Gremio.
Juventus have now released Arthur from the remainder of his contract. Besiktas appear to be working towards an agreement to sign him, although the report does not provide further details about the proposed move.
Arthur’s departure closes a four-year chapter with Juventus that failed to match the expectations surrounding his arrival. At Barcelona, he had been viewed as a player capable of controlling midfield and operating at the highest level, while his contribution to their 2018-19 league triumph helped strengthen that reputation.
His move to Juventus in 2020 represented an opportunity to establish himself in another major European league. Instead, he struggled to maintain his earlier form and was unable to secure a sustained place in the side.
The Brazil international’s limited involvement during his loan spell at Liverpool was particularly brief, with only one appearance recorded. His subsequent periods at Fiorentina, Girona and Gremio also came as Juventus assessed his future.
Now, with the contract terminated, Arthur is free to pursue the next stage of his career. Besiktas are reported to be the club looking to complete a deal for him, potentially giving the former Barcelona midfielder another opportunity to revive his career in Turkey.
For Juventus, the termination marks the formal conclusion of a transfer that produced 63 appearances, one goal and one assist. For Arthur, it ends a difficult spell in Italy after a promising start to his career at Barcelona.