Arsenal are now likely to press on with their efforts to land one of their main midfield targets after missing out on Morgan Rogers. The Aston Villa and England superstar ended up joining Chelsea on a £116million deal, with the Blues willing to pay significantly more than Arsenal.
The Gunners are hoping to add a left-winger and a number 8 this summer, and it's unclear where Rogers fits into that, although he is obviously able to play wide, even if it isn't his best position. Still, Arsenal saw Rogers as a unique opportunity to upgrade, but after spending hundreds of millions over recent summers, they were not going to be baited into paying silly money.
Attention now turns back to the midfield and winger targets, and it's reported they are planning to submit a new bid to sign a standout midfielder.
Arsenal 'likely' to submit fresh bid for Bruno Guimaraes
bruno guimaraes
Arsenal are now said to be likely to return to the negotiating table for Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes, who is another who will cost big money this summer.
GiveMeSport's Ben Jacobs posted on X: "Morgan Rogers formalised his Chelsea contract on Monday. 6+1 deal. £117m. Chelsea able to agree a deal with Aston Villa in 48 hours. Arsenal were only prepared to go to £80m and are now exploring other attacking targets. #AFC set to be busy in the next weeks. Another bid for Bruno Guimarães likely."
Guimaraes is reportedly valued at £100million by Newcastle, who have already sold Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for big money this summer. The Magpies are hoping to get back into Europe this coming season, and losing so much quality certainly isn't going to help their cause.
For that reason, Arsenal will likely have to pay a premium to get their man, and that's despite reports that the Brazilian has asked to leave, keen to join a top club and take the next step up, now 29 years of age.
Guimaraes a modern-day Vieira
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates vs Crystal Palacevia Reuters
Guimaraes has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and according to Jamie Carragher, he is a modern day version of some of the best. The Sky Sports pundit said back in 2022: "He reminds me of a Bryan Robson, a Peter Reid, a Roy Keane, a Patrick Vieira.”
Since then, Alan Shearer said of the Brazilian in December of 2024: "The understanding of both Tonali and Guimaraes in their roles was absolutely superb.
“Bruno was very clever in what he had to do in that role. He feels part of it as well because that role is certainly suiting him. He’s a very, very talented player and I think he’s been great for Newcastle.”
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The Gunners are still hopeful of a deal