Barcelona have clinched an agreement with Gremio to bring forward a deal for Arthur Melo.

Sport says representatives from both Barcelona and Gremio have been locked in talks at Porto Alegre to bring forward Arthur's move to the Spanish club this summer rather than January as previously agreed back in March.

And an agreement has been found which will see Arthur arrive in the coming weeks.

In the next few hours both parties hope to get the new agreement down in writing and one which will come into effect from the 1st July. This is the date that Barcelona officially start their accounts for the 2018/19 season.

The ace up Barcelona's sleeve was the stance of Arthur who has privately made it clear to Gremio that he wants to join Barcelona now.