Arsenal are moving to the front of the queue for Bruno Guimarães after the Newcastle and Brazil midfielder told the club he wants to leave St James' Park this summer, with the Premier League champions believed to be readying an opening offer of around £60m.
Player pushes for move to north London
Guimarães held talks between his representatives and Arsenal last month, and it is understood the 27-year-old has his heart set on a switch to the Emirates. Newcastle have not yet received a formal approach from Arsenal, but the noises out of north London suggest that contact is imminent. The midfielder still has two years to run on his current deal at Newcastle, with a club option to extend by a further year, meaning the Magpies retain significant leverage in any negotiations.
The timing is a fresh headache for Newcastle, who have already parted with Anthony Gordon — sold to Barcelona this summer — and Sandro Tonali, who has departed to Tottenham. Losing their club captain on top of those two high-profile exits would represent a brutal summer of attrition for Eddie Howe's squad. Newcastle are understood to be reluctant to sanction Guimarães' departure and will be anxious to avoid a drawn-out saga reminiscent of Alexander Isak's move to Liverpool last summer.
To plug the gap left by Tonali, Newcastle are believed to be on the verge of completing a deal for Sean Steur from Ajax.
Arsenal's midfield plans take shape
Arsenal's interest in Guimarães stems partly from concerns over Declan Rice's long-term fitness. Mikel Arteta's side are exploring several avenues in the middle of the park, with Morocco teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille and Bournemouth's Alex Scott both understood to be on the shortlist should a deal for the Brazilian prove too complicated to land. Christian Nørgaard, who managed just one Premier League start after joining from Brentford last season, could be made available to free up funds and squad space.
The club's summer business extends well beyond midfield. Arsenal have identified Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers as their primary attacking target, though Villa are holding out for a fee north of £100m for the England midfielder. Atlético Madrid's Julián Alvarez is another name under consideration, although the Argentina forward is said to prefer a move to Barcelona and would command a fee in the region of £130m.
Outgoings gathering pace
On the way out, Leandro Trossard is set to join Besiktas after the Turkish club agreed a £17m fee for the Belgium winger. Keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also looking for the exit door in search of regular first-team football, with clubs in Italy and Spain reportedly interested. Arsenal have lined up former Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, though whether the Frenchman slots in as David Raya's first-choice understudy remains to be seen.
The Guimarães pursuit is unquestionably the headline act. A £60m bid for a player of his quality — a Champions League winner who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League — would represent exceptional value by today's market standards. Whether Newcastle can be persuaded to sell, or whether they dig in and force Arsenal to look elsewhere, is the question that will dominate the coming weeks.
Frequently asked
- How much are Arsenal offering for Bruno Guimarães?
- Arsenal are believed to be preparing an offer in the region of £60m for the Newcastle and Brazil midfielder.
- How long is Bruno Guimarães contracted to Newcastle?
- Guimarães has two years remaining on his current contract at St James' Park, with Newcastle also holding an option to extend that deal by a further year.
- Who are Arsenal's alternative midfield targets if the Guimarães deal falls through?
- Arsenal are also monitoring Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille and Bournemouth's Alex Scott as potential midfield additions should a move for Guimarães not materialise.