Arsenal have been linked with several midfielders ahead of the summer window, as Mikel Arteta aims to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.
Thomas Partey looks set to leave after an injury-ridden season, and a new defensive midfielder could help Declan Rice thrive in a more advanced midfield role.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is among the players Arteta has his eye on, as is Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes, who has a £100m release clause.
This price tag could make a deal complicated, but it has now emerged that Arsenal may not need to pay the full asking price for him.
Arsenal believe they can secure Bruno Guimaraes transfer for less than £100m
A report from INews has now revealed that Arsenal’s interest in the Brazilian is genuine, and they believe that they may be able to strike a deal for a fee lower than Bruno’s release clause.
“It’s worth noting that there are people in his entourage who are hardly playing down the prospect of either Arsenal or Manchester City giving Newcastle a headache by tabling a bid for him this summer,” the report claimed.
“Whether either would extend to triggering his £100m release clause is the real issue: if neither does, Newcastle won’t let him go – even if Arsenal sources nurse a belief that a deal can be brokered later in the summer for less as a way of evading their own PSR limits.”
Where could Bruno Guimaraes play for Arsenal?
With Declan Rice thriving as a number eight in recent months, recording his best-ever goal and assist tally, the ideal midfield signing would be someone who could replace Partey as a number six, bringing a wide range of passing, as well as physicality and mobility to the role.
Although Guimaraes fits these attributes, it remains to be seen what Arsenal’s system will look like with him there. He may be someone who benefits from playing further forward, and is quite similar to Rice in that regard.
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Restricting one of Rice or Bruno to the more defensive role may not be the best move for either player, even if Arteta is flexible over where both play.
Given the potential price tag, Arteta will have to be certain that his midfield can accommodate both players alongside Martin Odegaard, but given Arsenal’s long-term admiration for Bruno, they will be well aware of what he can bring.