Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad after winning the Premier League, but one of their top transfer targets have been told he wouldn't be good enough for Manchester United's XI right now
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United greets Manager Mikel Arteta of Arsenal ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta and Michael Carrick have both been linked with the same player(Image: Zohaib Alam, Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke does not believe Bruno Guimaraes is a top level midfielder. Arsenal have been pursuing a move for the Newcastle United ace, who has made it clear he wants to join the champions.
The Brazilian international recently informed the Magpies he is looking for an exit from St. James' Park, and has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners. Arsenal have already seen a £55million bid for the 29-year-old be rejected by the Magpies.
United are also believed to be considering a move for Guimaraes, who has been at the club since January 2021, when he arrived from Lyon. Despite Mikel Arteta believing he would be an emphatic addition to his Premier League title winning side, Yorke does not believe Guimaraes is good enough for United.
The 54-year-old, who wore the red shirt between 1998 and 2002, told Boyle Sports: "I don't know about Bruno Guimaraes. I'm not sure he has been that impressive. I watched him play for Brazil at the World Cup and he's not convinced me.
"I think he's good. He's shown that at Newcastle United. He's got a good work ethic. I understand the value of that. But is that what you're paying for when you sign a player to come to Manchester United? A good work ethic?
"He's a solid player and maybe he's good enough to get into a team at the level Manchester United should be at but is going to take them to another level? Will Bruno Guimaraes put United any closer to the Premier League title?
"If so, he's a good signing. But he doesn't excite me. I'm not seeing him picking up a ball and boom, sending over one of those diagonal passes or cutting defenders apart with one ball. I just don't see that quality from him.
Brazil's midfielder #08 Bruno Guimaraes reacts after missing a penalty during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images)
Bruno Guimaraes missed a penalty when Norway lost to Brazil in the World Cup round of 16(Image: MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)
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"That's why his performances for Brazil worried me. He was just another solid player in that team. They're all solid players. I'm not saying he's not a good player but is that where United are at now? Just buying players because they're solid?
"Bring me players that are going to make us superior! I'm not so sure that's Bruno Guimaraes. The World Cup was an opportunity for him to tell the world there's a reason why a team like Manchester United are going to be after me, and he's come up short, in my opinion."
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder #08 Martin Odegaard (L) vies with Newcastle United's Brazilian midfielder #39 Bruno Guimaraes during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Guimaraes is being strongly pursued by Arsenal(Image: GLYN KIRK, AFP via Getty Images)
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Yorke also suggested that clubs would be better placed to secure Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi, who put in a stunning World Cup display for Morocco.
At just 18 years old, the midfielder proved on football's grandest stage that he can hold his own against the most experienced professionals, sparking widespread interest from a host of clubs.
While Arsenal are also linked with Bouaddi, they face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in the battle for his signature.
Lille have further set a price tag of around £84m for the youngster, determined to retain his services for at least one more season.
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