Barcelona have a reached an agreement in principle with Brazilian club Gremio to sign midfielder Arthur next year in a deal worth up to 40 million euros ($49.2 million), according to reports in Spain on Wednesday.


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"FC Barcelona have taken an almost definitive step to seal the recruitment of Arthur," wrote Catalan daily Sport, who reported the transfer fee would be 30 million euros with a further 10 million in bonuses.


Mundo Deportivo claimed Barca director of football Robert Fernandez went to Porto Alegre "to seal the transfer of Arthur, with whom the club have reached a deal starting from January 2019".


The 21-year-old is expected to arrive during next season's winter transfer window, although Madrid-based Marca suggested he could join the club this summer if Barca reduce the number of non-EU players in their squad.


Arthur starred in last year's Copa Libertadores final as Gremio defeated Lanus of Argentina 3-1 on aggregate to claim the title for a third time.


But a leaked photograph of Fernandez alongside the Brazilian in a Barca shirt sparked controversy with the player still under contract at Gremio.