Arsenal are pushing to strengthen their midfield this summer, with Bruno Guimaraes emerging as a primary target for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Newcastle United star is reportedly keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium, as the Gunners look to bolster their options in the engine room.
Newcastle reporter Luke Edwards has taken to X to share his thoughts on the situation, suggesting Arsenal are prepared to make another approach for the Brazilian.
Edwards wrote: “My thoughts on Bruno and Arsenal are as follows. Arsenal like him, Bruno likes them. But there is a big difference between liking a player at £50m and wanting that same player at almost double the price.”
He added: “I’m sure Arsenal will test the water some more. As we saw with Isak last summer there is no such thing as not for sale.”
Newcastle sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for £100m this summer and are holding out for a similar fee for Guimaraes.
A £100m deal would make Guimaraes Arsenal’s second-most expensive signing in history, behind current midfield partner Declan Rice, though the club are reportedly in a strong financial position.
The interest in Guimaraes follows a difficult end to last season for Martin Zubimendi, who came in for criticism from Gary Neville during the campaign.
Neville said: “I thought at the start of the season that Zubimendi was a great signing. He’s been a good player for Arsenal, but right now I was expecting that this would be where Zubimendi would be the player.”
Neville continued: “You think of what Pirlo is, or Scholes or Rodri, Bernardo Silva – the player who can dictate play in a game like this, get Arsenal on the ball, organise and get them with authority and he’s not demonstrating that.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly eventually replaced Zubimendi in the starting XI towards the end of last season, though a move for Guimaraes could see Lewis-Skelly revert to left-back.
Guimaraes brings significant Premier League pedigree to the table, having registered 30 goals and 26 assists in 153 top-flight appearances for Newcastle.
The 28-year-old also started all five of Brazil’s matches at the World Cup, underlining his standing as one of the best central midfielders in the game.
His creativity was on full display last season, creating 45 chances in the Premier League, which was 13 more than nearest rival Tonali, and averaging 2.3 tackles per 90 minutes.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be desperate to hold onto his star midfielder, having already spoken in glowing terms about the player’s qualities.
Howe said: “I think he is world class. And I don’t say that lightly. He has unbelievable qualities and an unbelievable attitude to life and football. He wears his heart on his sleeve – you’re not guessing how he’s feeling!”
Howe added: “The supporters really identify with his passion for football and Newcastle,” highlighting just how important Guimaraes is to the club.
Rice heading into the new campaign after a deep England World Cup run gives Arteta further motivation to secure additional midfield cover and quality before the season begins.