FURIOUS Barcelona star Arthur is refusing to return to the club ahead of their resumed Champions League campaign next month.
The Brazilian has already signed for Juventus ahead of next season – although remains a Barca player until September.
Arthur fell out of favour at Camp NouCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brazilian’s absence has been making headlines in Spain
But such is his anger at being “forced out” of the club by Quique Setien, that he is determined to never pull on the blue and red of Barcelona ever again.
Sport report that Arthur did not want to leave Camp Nou, before sealing his upcoming £65million switch to Juve last month.
And the 23-year-old’s mood was not helped by the fact that he remained on the sidelines for the final six games of the LaLiga season, following his move.
He was even spotted appearing to fall asleep in the stands as he remained an unused substitute against Osasuna.
Having been given a week off after the final league fixture, Barcelona players were due to report to training for coronavirus testing yesterday.
But Arthur did not turn up.
It has emerged that the 20-cap international holidayed in Ibiza, before returning to Brazil – with no intentions of coming back to Barcelona.
Arthur will face disciplinary action from the club, but any goodwill between the two parties ahead of his transfer appears to have been severed entirely.
Arthur felt forced out of Barcelona, having initially not wanted to leaveCredit: Getty – Contributor
His likely absence will leave Setien short as he seeks to restore order at Camp Nou.
To reach the Champions League’s last eight tournament in Lisbon, Barcelona must first defeat Napoli at home – having drawn the first-leg 1-1 in Naples back in February.
With new recruit Miralem Pjanic still at Juventus until September, Setien will have Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto to pick either side of Sergio Busquets – with youngster Riqui Puig his only viable alternative and Arturo Vidal suspended.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
