Arsenal Prepare £70m Bid for Newcastle Captain Bruno Guimaraes

Arsenal are putting together a £70 million offer for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazil international understood to be eager to make the move to north London this summer. The Gunners have identified the 28-year-old midfielder as a priority target, and Newcastle are fully aware of his preference to join the Premier League champions. Talks have stepped up in recent days, though it remains unclear whether Arsenal’s proposed fee will meet the Magpies’ valuation. Mikel Arteta’s side are determined to add high-quality players as they build on last season’s title success. The club recently walked away from a deal for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers after refusing to go above £80 million – Chelsea ultimately landed him for £117 million. Arsenal were given the chance to match that offer but declined, sticking to their hardline valuation policy, which also applies to Guimaraes. On the defensive front, Arsenal have made Villa’s Ezri Konsa their top target and have already enquired about the England international. They also have Como’s Jacobo Ramon on their list, but clauses in the Spaniard’s contract make a deal complicated. Having missed out on Rogers, the Gunners remain in the market for attacking reinforcements. Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is the dream signing, but his preference for Barcelona and a potential British-record fee – above the £125 million paid when Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool – present major obstacles. Arsenal have also explored a move for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.