Real Madrid set to hijack Barcelona move for Brazilian sensation Arthur
Gremio midfielder appeared to be wearing a Barca shirt in a photo posted on social media recently
REAL MADRID reportedly want to hijack Barcelona's move for Arthur.
Recent photographs on social media appeared to show the Gremio midfielder wearing a Barca shirt with the club's sporting director Robert Fernandez.
But claim that the midfielder, 21, has not yet signed a deal with the Spanish league leaders.
And they say that Real are now taking an interest in the Brazilian, who was recently called up by his national team for the first time.
It was previously reported that Gremio reckon they can bank around £44million for their star.
Marca's report says that the Porto Alegre club want to hold onto him for another year.
But this week club chief Andre Zanotta admitted that he will struggle to stop the player moving to Europe.
Zanotta is furious with Barcelona over their approach.
But he knows that he may need to sell due to the club's delicate finances.
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Arthur has said: “On the Barcelona matter, they did speak with me.
“We had a meeting but I want to say nothing is final.
“Nothing has been decided and I did not sign anything. I am a Gremio player.”
Chelsea have also been linked with the playmaker, who has drawn comparions with Barca greats Xavi and Andres Iniesta.