Arsenal are interested in the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes but the uncertainty around Declan Rice could scupper Mikel Arteta’s attempts to sign the Manchester City target.
The Newcastle United ace is one of the midfield targets that Arteta has identified for Arsenal to explore this summer. He is pushing for the north London outfit to further strengthen their engine room across the off-season. But a swoop to snap up Guimaraes is not a no-brainer.
Guimaraes has merited interest from several squads after playing a pivotal role in the Toon’s campaign this season. He has so far started 34 of the Magpies’ 35 Premier League fixtures this term. The Brazilian has also fired six goals and six assists from the base of their midfield.
Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes
Reports by 90min now name Arsenal and Manchester City among the clubs showing interest in a transfer from Newcastle for Guimaraes. He has also put Paris Saint-Germain on notice as they seek out potential midfield signings. But PSG are prioritising a move for Bernardo Silva.
Arsenal and Manchester City could lock horns in the transfer window on the back of fighting for the Premier League title as Guimaraes could leave St James’ Park. The 26-year-old has a verbal agreement with Newcastle to listen to offers of £80m from a Champions League side.
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Guimaraes also has a release clause in his contract worth £100m but it expires at the end of June. The timeline would make it very difficult for Arsenal to force any transfer due to their financial considerations. But Arteta is interested in Guimaraes moving to Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has told Arsenal to sign a new midfielder who will complement Rice as a priority this summer. But uncertainty surrounding what role Rice will play in the Gunners’ core next term may threaten a pursuit of Guimaraes as Arteta wants to better define his midfielders’ duties.
While Arteta likes his players to be flexible, Arsenal will base their transfer plans on whether he sees Rice as an out-and-out defensive midfielder or a box-to-box player. Guimaraes can occupy either role but Arsenal want a clear stance before chasing a transfer from Newcastle.
Pep Guardiola thinks Bruno Guimaraes is an ‘exceptional’ holding midfielder
Rice occupying a box-to-box role in Arteta’s midfield may be decisive for Arsenal targeting a transfer for Guimaraes this summer. He has shone as the deepest player in Newcastle’s core, which is where Pep Guardiola would likely play the Rio de Janeiro native at Manchester City.
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What Guimaraes has shown in a more defensive area at St James’ Park has stunned Citizens boss Guardiola. He sang the midfielder’s praises before Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final with Newcastle in March which City won 2-0 and Guimaraes played the full 90 minutes.
“He is an exceptional holding midfielder,” Guardiola exclaimed, via quotes by the Daily Mail. “He is aggressive – with the ball or without the ball. At set-pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow.”