Arthur similar to Iniesta and will fit in well at Barcelona - Scolari
Arthur will complete his transfer to Barcelona in July and move to Spain in January, and Luiz Felipe Scolari has backed him to succeed.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has backed Arthur to become Andres Iniesta's long-term replacement when he swaps Gremio for Barcelona.
Scolari gave Arthur his professional debut in 2015 and has watched from afar as the midfielder has gone from strength-to-strength.
Arthur established himself as a first-team regular last season and his performances brought interest from Europe's top clubs – including Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
However, it was Barca who won the race for his signature and Arthur will move to Camp Nou in January after the Catalan giants agreed an option to sign him for €30million.
Scolari has backed the 21-year-old to make a big impression in LaLiga, even suggesting he can step into the void left by Iniesta when the playmaker eventually steps aside.
Agreement for Arthur transfer.March 12, 2018
"I was the technician who gave Arthur his debut with Gremio," the former Brazil boss told Mundo Deportivo. "Arthur is a player with characteristics similar to Iniesta.
"These last two years he had improved a lot with Renato Gaucho as coach.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"I am very happy with his signing for Barca. I think he will fit in very well."
‘Maybe I’ll be signed by Wrexham, who knows? English football would suit me – if an offer came, I wouldn’t think twice, I’d go immediately’ Euro 2024 cult hero reveals his UK dream
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023