Arsenal will now consider a player swap deal in order to bring one top midfield target to North London this summer.
Mikel Arteta is plotting an overhaul of the Arsenal midfield unit ahead of the new season.
It is vital that the Gunners address their lack of options in the middle of the park this summer. As things stand, only Declan Rice represents the club’s long-term future in that part of the pitch.
Arsenal are ready to move on Thomas Partey, whilst Mohamed Elneny has already left the club, and Jorginho is in the twilight years of his career and can no longer start matches week in, week out.
Arteta has now made a decision on the role best suited to Rice at Arsenal, meaning that the club can now focus their efforts on bringing in a player who can complement the England star.
Arsenal make Bruno Guimaraes a top target
Arsenal now want to bring in Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have “intensified” their interest in the Brazilian, who has a £100 million release clause in his current contract at St James’ Park.
However, the Magpies are under financial pressure to sell players this summer, which could allow the Gunners to secure the 26-year-old’s services for a cut-price fee.
Newcastle would also be willing to consider a cash-plus-player deal, and there are “several” Arsenal stars that they would be keen to add to their own ranks.
The Gunners are open to letting Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Oleksandr Zinchenko depart the Emirates Stadium this summer. Any one of these players could potentially be used to help seal a deal for Guimaraes.
Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who represents another potential inclusion in a swap deal for the midfielder.
Swap deals are relatively uncommon in football, but far from unheard of. They could also become a more regular occurrence as a consequence of the Premier League clamping down on overspending.
Would Guimaraes be a good fit for Declan Rice and Arsenal?
Like Rice, Guimaraes is comfortable in both a more defensive role or when given license to be more aggressive and attacking. This means that Arteta would have the option to play the duo together as a pair that can rotate and interchange with one another.
Alternatively, they can cover for each other should one player be unavailable for a fixture for any reason.