Juventus’s ongoing negotiations with Brazilian club Gremio over the future of midfielder Arthur have thrown up an intriguing subplot: the possible arrival of a promising young central defender named Viery.
The Arthur Problem
Arthur spent last season on loan at Gremio, where he performed well, established himself as a dressing-room leader, and by all accounts felt thoroughly at home. Gremio want to keep him. Juventus, however, are asking for around €10 million to avoid registering a financial loss on the deal — a sum the Brazilian club simply cannot meet.
Their solution? Offer talent in part-exchange. And one name in particular has caught Juventus’s attention.
Who Is Viery?
Viery is a 21-year-old central defender — 190cm, left-footed, comfortable in possession, and physically imposing. For a Juventus side that could benefit from a left-sided centre-back profile as cover or competition for Lloyd Kelly, he ticks some appealing boxes.
Tuttosport report that the complication is the price. Gremio value Viery at €20 million, with a theoretical release clause of €50 million — figures that are very difficult to justify for a player who has only emerged in recent months and is entirely untested in European football. Fiorentina have shown interest, Bologna have made enquiries, but nobody has yet been willing to commit serious money.
Why Juventus Might Still Have an Edge
The active channel between Juventus and Gremio over Arthur gives the Turin club a natural advantage in any Viery conversation. A strong offer for the defender would significantly smooth negotiations over the midfielder — and both parties know it.
That said, Juventus are also acutely aware of their non-EU player quota. With only two slots available and a number of positions still to strengthen, they are unlikely to use one of those spots early in the window before their primary transfer business is complete. Viery remains very much a speculative possibility for now — creative thinking in the context of a deal that still needs imagination to reach a conclusion.
Arthur’s future, one way or another, will need resolving. This summer has barely begun, and already it is one of the more complex loose ends on Juventus’s desk.
