Barcelona locked in talks for Grêmio's Arthur Melo | OneFootball

Barcelona appear to have a clear run at Arthur Melo after Monaco reportedly withdrew from the race for Brazilian midfielder’s signature.

According to reports in France, Monaco had a €14 million bid for the 21-year-old rejected on Wednesday and are not expected to return with an improved offer.

Arthur has a release clause of €50m and Grêmio – who own 60 per cent of the player’s rights – won’t sell for less than €50m.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have all expressed an interest in the Brazil U-20 international but it seems Barça are in pole position to sign him.

Spanish outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport report that a deal between the two clubs is very close to being struck but Arthur will stay at Grêmio until the summer as Ernesto Valverde has already reached the maximum number of non-EU players allowed in his squad for this season.

Last weekend, Grêmio sporting director André Zanotta confirmed the Blaugrana had made an approach and talks were ongoing.

“There has been a formal contact and we’re going to continue the conversations,” Zanotta said.

“We have our conditions. I do not want to give more details, it’s a conversation that has just started and it’s still going to drag on.

“Arthur’s transfer will not take place before January 31. If the negotiations advance it will not be in the next few days, it will drag on for a few more weeks.”