Barcelona’s new summer signing Arthur has revealed that he is delighted to be compared with club legends Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The Brazilian became the Blaugrana’s first signing of the summer transfer window after arriving from Gremio and he has penned a six-year contract with the reigning Spanish champions.

Speaking in a news conference, Arthur said: “I am really happy that they say I have Barca DNA. To come here is fantastic for me, it has always been my dream. I know there will be tough moments but I will try to learn from those moments.Being compared with Xavi and Iniesta is fantastic. I don’t hide my passion for them. I will always admire them. I couldn’t say which one I have more in common with, though.”

With both Andres Iniesta and Paulinho leaving the Camp Nou, Barcelona are expected to at least recruit another midfield to their ranks before the transfer deadline and it has been suggested that they could make an approach for Paris Saint-Germain’s Adrien Rabiot. Rabiot has been hugely upset after failing to make the cut for the France national side at the World Cup and reports have claimed that he could push for a fresh challenge elsewhere in order to revive his international prospects.

Barcelona won the Spanish league title with relative ease during the previous campaign but there was plenty of disappointment in terms of the European front after they suffered a shock quarter-final defeat at the hands of AS Roma. As such, the club are prepared to go on another spending spree to reinforce the squad this summer and there has been the talk of them recruiting another attacker into their ranks.

Antoine Griezmann was widely regarded as the prime option prior to him committing his future to Atletico Madrid and Barca appear to have since placed their emphasis on signing Eden Hazard from Chelsea, though they are likely to face stiff competition from Real Madrid.