Wolves’ decision to let Jhon Arias return to Brazil has sparked some pundit pushback, with former teammate Felipe Melo saying he would have gone the other way.
Speaking on social media, Melo made it clear that the comments came from a place of respect and affection. He played alongside Arias at Fluminense and lifted the Copa Libertadores with him in 2023. Still, he admitted he struggled with the idea of such a short European spell.
“It’s a very complicated question,” Melo said. “There’s so much effort involved in getting to Europe. Playing in the Premier League is a dream. The club opened an important door for you, and Fluminense helped you get there and become the player you are today.”
Then came the blunt part. “If it were up to me, that effort wouldn’t be wasted,” he added. “I would stay in Europe. I wouldn’t be satisfied with fulfilling a dream for just six months.”
Melo pushed the point even further, stressing that context would not change his stance. “I’d stay in Europe with the club that signed me,” he said. “Even if that meant playing in the second division, I wouldn’t go back to Brazil.”
The comments land as Arias prepares to wrap up his exit from Wolves and complete his move to Palmeiras. While the player has clearly prioritised stability, minutes and a World Cup year, Melo’s take offers a contrasting view.
Arias arrival from Wolves delayed
While the debate plays out, the move itself is already being managed on a practical level. According to Brazilian journalist William Bender, Arias asked for a few extra days to deal with personal matters related to his move from England back to Brazil.
Because of that, it is considered very unlikely that the Colombian will be available for Palmeiras’ next two matches, scheduled to Thursday and Sunday. The request does not affect the transfer itself, but it slightly delays his full integration as he wraps up the transition from Wolves to Brazilian football.