Sources: Liverpool recruitment team ’embarrassed’ by Arthur Melo deal, vow not to repeat
The recruitment team at Liverpool have been left “embarrassed” by the signing of midfielder Arthur Melo, sources have told Football Insider.
Melo’s loan arrival has proved to be a salutary lesson for the club over rushing a deal through – after the 26-year-old arrived on deadline day last summer (2022).
Recruitment insiders at Liverpool have told Football Insider that the club have vowed not to let such a mistake happen again – ahead of a crucial transfer window for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (8 April) that Liverpool have told Melo they won’t be signing him permanently this summer.
The Reds paid a loan fee of almost £4million to take the Brazil international for a season after injuries to the likes of Jordan Henderson and Thiago left them short.
But Melo himself picked up a serious thigh injury and has missed the majority of the 2022-23 campaign after requiring surgery.
He has made just one senior appearance for Liverpool this season – a 13-minute display off the bench against Napoli in the Champions League back in September 2022.
In addition to the loan fee paid to Juventus, the former Barcelona ace earns a reported wage of £110,000-a-week at Anfield.
Alongside Melo, midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are expected to move on from Liverpool this summer.
The Merseysiders’ recruitment staff will need to learn from the mistakes of Melo’s signing as they plot a midfield overhaul – which could include a deal for top target Jude Bellingham.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Friday (7 April) that Liverpool are still pushing to sign Matheus Nunes this summer despite Wolves removing his release clause.
In other news, Liverpool bank £105million as Real Madrid payment confirmed.