Gremio star Arthur even posed in a Barcelona shirt after meeting the club's sporting director Robert Fernandez, but the transfer never materialised. With the Catalans looking to offload up to eight players in January, negotiations for the Brazilian have stalled.
Though Barca remain interested in the 21-year-old, Chelsea and Manchester United are considering a January swoop. Gremio are keen to strike a deal with English clubs and could sell for £30m-£35m.
Arthur is expected to make his full World Cup debut this summer and is being tracked by a host of European suitors. Barcelona, after completing the signings of Coutinho and Mina, seem to have fallen behind in the race for the Brazil youngster.