Manchester United have emerged as serious contenders to sign Bruno Guimaraes, who has already attracted a £55m bid from Arsenal this summer.
The Red Devils are actively reshaping their midfield following the departure of Casemiro, who left as a free agent at the end of his contract.
United moved quickly to secure Ederson from Atalanta but have since struggled to complete a second midfield signing to strengthen their options in that area.
Mateus Fernandes has been identified as their primary target, though West Ham United’s asking price remains high despite the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The Hammers are unwilling to sell Fernandes cheaply given his contract runs until 2030, and Tottenham Hotspur have also entered the picture as rivals for his signature.
With that deal stalling, United have turned their attention to alternatives and according to Football Insider, Guimaraes has been identified as a serious option.
Arsenal have already made their move, launching a £55m proposal for the Brazilian, but Newcastle United rejected that offer without hesitation.
Newcastle are now reportedly fearing a repeat of the Alexander Isak situation from last summer, with Guimaraes contracted at St James’ Park until 2028.
Should Newcastle ultimately be forced to sell, they are well-positioned to demand a significant fee, with Transfermarkt valuing the midfielder at around £60m.
Manchester City are also monitoring Guimaraes closely, making this a three-way battle between some of England’s biggest clubs for his signature.
Reports suggest Guimaraes himself would be open to a move to the Emirates Stadium if Arsenal and Newcastle could agree terms on a deal in principle.
Arsenal have plenty of motivation to push hard in the market this summer, despite winning the Premier League title last term under their current setup.
Guimaraes is considered one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League, capable of operating as a box-to-box runner or a deep-lying playmaker.
He brings physicality, aerial ability, and sharp passing range to any side, while also contributing meaningfully from set-pieces and pressing hard without the ball.
His Premier League pedigree makes him an attractive option for both United and Arsenal as they look to build squads capable of competing on multiple fronts next season.