Transfer interest in Guimaraes
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a £70m offer for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazil international is considered a priority target for the Premier League champions, with the midfielder reportedly keen on joining the club. Newcastle is aware of the 28-year-old’s preference to move this summer.
Discussions regarding a potential transfer for Guimaraes are said to be ongoing and have reportedly intensified recently. While the agreement of personal terms is not anticipated to be an issue, it remains uncertain if Arsenal’s offer will align with Newcastle’s valuation. Sources close to Newcastle, however, maintain that the club has no intention of selling Guimaraes this summer and that no direct approach has been made by Arsenal for the player.
Reports from The Times on Tuesday indicated that Arsenal had formally initiated negotiations for the Brazilian midfielder, with Newcastle reportedly valuing him at £75m. However, other reports quote Magpies sources stating there has been no formal bid, proposals, or direct communication between the clubs concerning the player. Conversations have reportedly taken place behind the scenes through intermediaries, with agent Kia Joorabchian reportedly involved in facilitating Guimaraes’ future. The player is also believed to have informed Newcastle of his desire to seek trophies elsewhere.
Despite this, Arsenal’s valuation of Guimaraes, whose contract is set to expire in under two years, is reportedly significantly below Newcastle’s expectations. Arsenal is determined to enhance their squad with high-quality players this summer as they aim to build on their recent title victory. The club reportedly has a strict maximum valuation for Guimaraes and is unwilling to exceed it, despite their strong interest in signing the midfielder.
Other transfer targets and club developments
Arsenal was also interested in signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, but refused to increase their £80m valuation for the player. Rogers has since joined Chelsea for £117m. It is understood that Arsenal had the opportunity to match Chelsea’s offer but declined.
In addition to midfield targets, Arsenal has a significant interest in Villa defender Ezri Konsa and has inquired about the availability of the England international. Konsa is reportedly Arsenal’s primary defensive target. The club also has Jacobo Ramon of Como on a list of defenders they would like to acquire, though clauses in the Spaniard’s contract are understood to complicate a potential deal.
Having missed out on Rogers, Arsenal continues to seek attacking reinforcements. Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is considered a dream target for Arsenal, but the player’s current reported desire to join Barcelona and the potential cost, which could exceed the British record fee of £125m set when Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool, present clear challenges. Arsenal has also explored a move for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
In other club news, Arsenal has secured a new agreement with their long-standing title sponsor, Emirates. This deal is reportedly valued at £70m per year plus bonuses, marking a substantial increase from the previous £45m annual agreement that was set to run until 2028. The revamped partnership, reportedly brokered by the club’s chief commercial officer Juliet Slot, extends the airline’s long-term relationship with the club beyond the current contract’s planned conclusion in 2028. The agreement encompasses the naming rights for Emirates Stadium and front-of-shirt sponsorship for both Arsenal’s men’s and women’s squads.
The venue has carried the name of the United Arab Emirates’ carrier since its opening in 2006, with the shirt agreement commencing simultaneously. The enhanced terms are attributed to the men’s team securing their first Premier League crown in 22 years and the Arsenal Women’s Champions League triumph last season, which has reportedly boosted the club’s commercial appeal.
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers reportedly made a comment aimed at Arsenal after his move to Chelsea. The England star, who was widely expected to sign for Arsenal this summer, instead joined their London rivals. Rogers stated, “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.” Arsenal reportedly declined to exceed their £80m valuation of Rogers, while Chelsea was willing to pay £117m for the Europa League winner.
Mikel Arteta’s side has already secured defender Piero Hincapie permanently for £34million and brought in reserve goalkeeper Illan Meslier without a fee after his contract at Leeds expired. Additionally, Sporting director Andrea Berta approved Leandro Trossard’s £17million exit to Besiktas before securing his replacement, £34million Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, who is reportedly flying in for a medical.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”