Barcelona coach Quique Setien says Arthur Melo remains an important part of his plans – despite an agreement to sell the midfielder to Juventus.
Arthur is set to join the Italian champions this summer after finally accepting a transfer to Turin, which will see Miralem Pjanic move the other way.
"In principle I'm still counting on him," Setien said ahead of Saturday's trip to Celta Vigo. "He's a player we are going to need. He's important.
"In principle, he'll take part in training and then he will travel, with the possibility of playing. It is what it is.
"We have to try to ensure all this noise doesn't affect him and in the event of him going out to play, that he gives the best of himself."
Asked about the situation, which sees Arthur involved despite the fact he knows he will be leaving, Setien said: "What's happening is not normal
"I suppose any player in a situation like this has to be clear that the season is not finished, and that there are really important games left for him, like the rest.
"I'm sure he will want to end well, if that's the case, win a trophy and leave a good impression up until the last day."
Many fans are unhappy with the decision to sell the Brazilian, but Setien said: "He wouldn't be the first to arrive at a club and things not work out.
"It happens to a lot of teams and players. I understand there will be all sorts of [opinions among] fans."
Asked what has gone wrong for Arthur, who was compared to Xavi only last year, Setien said: "I can't talk about the time when I wasn't here.
"Since we have been here, he has taken a lot of interest in what we ask of him.
"We have emphasised many things. Perhaps he has lacked regular games. But it's not easy to change a player who was working with other coaches. He has usually been effective. I think he is on the right path for the future."
Setien revealed he was still not sure what was happening with the transfer and would not get into whether he would prefer to work with Arthur or Pjanic next season.
"Nobody has told me he is leaving," the 61-year-old said. "I won't comment on hypothesis. I'm in permanent contact with the sporting directors, but I don't ask for too many explanations because I can't wear myself out with things that don't involve me."
