Arsenal are now expected to formally open talks with Newcastle United over a deal to sign midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to a new update from GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
Arsenal have had a quiet start to the summer transfer window, with the addition of goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer their only incoming business so far, with Piero Hincapie also completing a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners had looked to sign Leicester City sensation Jeremy Monga, but that deal was hijacked by Manchester City and he has joined Enzo Maresca's side instead.
If reports are to be believed, two of the north London outfit's biggest transfer priorities this summer are in central midfield and in attack.
Arsenal have made Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers their top attacking target, although their Premier League rivals are said to value him at a British transfer record fee of £130m.
The Gunners have also been linked with Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, among other names, but in midfield it is Guimaraes who is their key target.
Jacobs: Arsenal Set to Open Formal Guimaraes Talks
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes smiles as he walks into St James' Parkvia Reuters
Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon and then Sandro Tonali from their midfield this summer, and they are determined to keep hold of the Italian's former engine room partner.
However, Mikel Arteta is said to be particularly keen to bring the Brazil international to the club, and the 'world-class' player himself has made it clear that he would also like to join the Gunners if the deal was right for Newcastle.
Newcastle sources have denied any club-to-club contact yet, which has left the Tyneside outfit 'astonished' given what has been out in the media, but now Jacobs has confirmed on GMS' latest Market Madness podcast that they are set to formally open talks with their Premier League rivals over a move.
He said: "Arsenal are expected to formally open talks with Newcastle United for Bruno Guimaraes, even though Newcastle flatly deny any contact and say the player is not for sale. And this is going to be really interesting because I don't think we're going to get an Alexander Isak situation where the player returns from the World Cup and starts throwing his toys out the pram or saying he doesn't want to play for Newcastle United.
"Guimaraes is not like that. He's been Newcastle through and through. They call him a Brazilian Geordie, and yet it's very clear the player would like to join, and that has been directly communicated to Newcastle United. My understanding is that a lot of the talks so far have taken place through so-called super agents with mandates to do the deal and intermediaries.
"And in those verbal conversations, Arsenal have made it clear they're prepared to go up to £60-65m, and Newcastle's valuation of Bruno Guimaraes, if they change their not-for-sale stance, is more like £80-90m."
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Arsenal Hold Talks to Sign 'France's Best Midfielder'
Manu Kone Romavia Reuters
Arsenal are considering other midfield options too, according to reports, with one claiming that they have held talks over a potential deal for AS Roma and France midfield star Manu Kone.
Kone starred in the Les Bleus midfield after starting the World Cup quarter-final win over Morocco, and there is an expectation that he will be sold by the Serie A outfit this summer as interest in him grows.
Roma are said to value the 25-year-old at around the £50m mark, which would mean he would be cheaper than Guimaraes.