Brazil coach Tite recommended Gremio midfielder Arthur Melo to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, it has been revealed.

Arthur is expected to join Barcelona this summer, with the Catalans having an option they can trigger by mid-July.

UOL Esporte says Guardiola asked Tite about Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and the Brazil coach replied while he was a "high level player", he rated Arthur a bigger talent.

Fred is interesting City, which made a serious move for the Brazil international in January.

Guardiola, during his conversation with Tite, also asked about the form of Juventus midfielder Douglas Costa, who he worked with at Bayern Munich.