• Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with Arthur after scoring their first goal at Slavia Prague. Reuters
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with Arthur after scoring their first goal at Slavia Prague. Reuters
  • Lionel Messi. AFP
    Lionel Messi. AFP
  • Lionel Messi is challenged by SK Slavia Prague's Tomas Soucek. Reuters
    Lionel Messi is challenged by SK Slavia Prague's Tomas Soucek. Reuters
  • Lionel Messi. Reuters
    Lionel Messi. Reuters
  • Tomas Soucek, left, attempts to stop Lionel Messi. Getty
    Tomas Soucek, left, attempts to stop Lionel Messi. Getty
  • Lionel Messi is challenged by SK Slavia Prague's David Hovorka. EPA
    Lionel Messi is challenged by SK Slavia Prague's David Hovorka. EPA
  • Lionel Messi, right, and Peter Olayinka. EPA
    Lionel Messi, right, and Peter Olayinka. EPA
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates a his goal with Gerard Pique. AP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates a his goal with Gerard Pique. AP
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with teammates. AP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi, left, celebrates with teammates. AP
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates. AP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates. AP
  • Lionel Messi, right, in action in Prague. EPA
    Lionel Messi, right, in action in Prague. EPA
  • David Hovorka, right and Lionel Messi. Getty
    David Hovorka, right and Lionel Messi. Getty
  • Lionel Mess scores the opening goal past Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar. Getty
    Lionel Mess scores the opening goal past Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar. Getty
  • Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar celebrates after his team's goal. AP
    Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar celebrates after his team's goal. AP
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right. AP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right. AP
  • Luis Suarez misses a chance to score in Prague. EPA
    Luis Suarez misses a chance to score in Prague. EPA
  • Lionel Messi misses a chance to score. Getty
    Lionel Messi misses a chance to score. Getty
  • Slavia Prague Czech defender Jan Boril celebrates after scoring. AFP
    Slavia Prague Czech defender Jan Boril celebrates after scoring. AFP
  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AP
    Barcelona's Lionel Messi. AP
  • Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen punches the ball. AFP
    Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen punches the ball. AFP
  • Luis Suarez, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal. EPA
    Luis Suarez, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal. EPA
  • Luis Suarez, left, scores Barca's second goal. EPA
    Luis Suarez, left, scores Barca's second goal. EPA
  • Jan Boril, third right, celebrates after scoring Slavia Prague's goal. AP
    Jan Boril, third right, celebrates after scoring Slavia Prague's goal. AP
  • Slavia Prague celebrate their goal. AP
    Slavia Prague celebrate their goal. AP
  • Jan Boril celebrates his goal for Slavia Prague. AFP
    Jan Boril celebrates his goal for Slavia Prague. AFP

Arthur 'flattered' by Juventus interest but keen to stay at Barcelona


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Brazil midfielder Arthur has stated his desire to remain with Barcelona amid reported interest from Juventus.

Spanish media reports had linked the Serie A champions with a transfer bid for the 23-year-old Brazil international, who joined the club from Gremio in the summer of 2018.

"The interest of great clubs is flattering, but I have only one thing in mind: playing here for many years," Arthur was quoted as saying by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arthur, who has 20 caps for his country and helped the club win La Liga last season, is seen as an important member of Quique Setien's squad, particularly with Ivan Rakitic's future at Camp Nou in doubt.

Both La Liga and the Serie A have been suspended amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Professional football in Spain took a step toward resuming this week with clubs welcoming players back to training after the country's prime minister Pedro Sanchez outlined plans to relax coronavirus lockdown measures.