Serie A new boys Como are reportedly targeting a move for a forgotten former Liverpool player.
Como, who will end a 21-year absence from Serie A this season, are in talks with Juventus to pick up the star.
It comes just days after the Serie A newboys promoted Cesc Fabregas to head coach from his assistant role, handing him his first top job. The Spaniard has signed a four-year contract and is also a part owner.
Como have already reportedly agreed a deal with Raphael Varane, who left United upon his contract expiry earlier this summer, though that is yet to be confirmed.
And now they are seeking to add 27-year-old midfielder Arthur Melo to their ranks in a bid to stay afloat in Serie A, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Serie A new boys Como are reportedly in talks to sign former Liverpool flop Arthur Melo
Melo managed just 13 minutes on loan at Liverpool in the 2022-23 season due to an injury
Como manager Cesc Fabregas will lead them into Serie A for the first time in 21 years
Raphael Varane reportedly agreed to join Como earlier this month but the deal is unconfirmed
Talks are taking place between the clubs but multiple sides are interested in the star.
Melo was on loan at Liverpool during the 2022-23 campaign but only managed 13 minutes and one appearance in half a season due to injury.
The 22-time Brazil international had been signed to help alleviate Liverpool’s injury problems but a calf issue meant he had to watch from the sidelines.
He has been on the books at Juventus since 2020 and last season enjoyed a fruitful spell on loan at Fiorentina, helping them to reach a second consecutive Europa Conference League final.
Melo managed 48 games for La Viola but is not part of Thiago Motta’s plans on his return to Juventus.
It has been a turbulent summer for Como after they became embroiled in a racism scandal with Wolves following their pre-season friendly.
Como admitted that one of their players had called Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan ‘Jackie Chan’ but appeared to suggest Wolves had attached undue importance to the alleged incident.
Wolves have been liaising with the FA and they will continue to press the Italian FA and UEFA on the matter.
Melo (left) had an unfortunate spell with the Reds but regained form at Fiorentina in 2023-24
Como dismissed accusations that one of their players was racist to Hwang Hee-chan
The match was overshadowed after one of their players referred to the star as ‘Jackie Chan,’ as admitted by Como
Como admitted one of their players called Hwang ‘Jackie Chan’ but claimed Wolves players’ reactions have seen the incident ‘blown out of proportion’
South Korea international Hwang, 28, has been a Wolves player since joining in August 2021
Multiple stars intervened after the incident and Daniel Podence was even shown a straight red card for punching an opponent.
‘Our club does not tolerate racism and condemns all forms of it in the strongest possible way,’ said Mirwan Suwarso, a representative of Como’s owners.
‘We spoke to the defender in question to understand what was said. He has told us the comment he made, to his co-defender, was “ignore him, he thinks he’s Jackie Chan”.
‘Having spoken to our player at length, we are confident this was in reference to the player’s name, and to the constant references of ‘Channy’ made by his own team-mates on the pitch.
‘As far as our club is concerned our player did not say anything in a derogatory manner. We are disappointed that the reaction of certain Wolves players has seen the incident blown out of proportion.’
