Arsenal are preparing to step up their pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes after the Brazil midfielder informed Newcastle United that he wants to leave the club this summer.
The Premier League champions have tracked the 28-year-old for months as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield ahead of the new campaign.
Arsenal had considered moves for either Guimaraes or his former Newcastle team-mate Sandro Tonali. However, Tottenham have already completed the signing of Tonali for an initial £92.5 million, leaving Guimaraes as the club’s leading target.
During initial talks to assess the financial framework of a possible transfer, Guimaraes’ representatives were reportedly told that a deal worth around £60 million could be enough to begin negotiations.
Although Newcastle has not yet received a formal approach from Arsenal, the north London club are now expected to return with a fresh bid for the Brazilian.
Guimaraes heads into the transfer talks after a disappointing end to his World Cup campaign. He missed a penalty as Brazil crashed out to Norway in the last 16 on Sunday.
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Arsenal is understood to be looking to sign only one high-profile central midfielder this summer. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Lille youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi remain alternative options should a deal for Guimaraes fail to materialize.
Newcastle are determined to hold on to their captain, particularly after sanctioning the departures of Tonali and Anthony Gordon during the current transfer window.
Losing another key player would represent another significant blow to Eddie Howe’s squad. The market for midfielders has already produced several big money deals this summer.
Manchester City agreed a club-record £116 million move for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, while Tottenham also secured Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85 million.
Guimaraes will turn 29 in November, with his age expected to play a significant role in Arsenal’s valuation as negotiations progress.
Any arrival in midfield is also likely to trigger an exit at the Emirates. Denmark international Christian Norgaard, 32, is among the players Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for.
A move for Guimaraes could also reshape Arteta’s preferred midfield, raising fresh questions over Martin Zubimendi’s status as a guaranteed starter next season.
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