Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Newcastle United's stance around a sale of Bruno Guimaraes this summer after it emerged Arsenal are set to table a £70m bid.
The Gunners are keen to add to their Premier League title-winning squad this summer, and have so far brought in Illan Meslier as a back-up goalkeeper and Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge to replace Leandro Trossard. But Newcastle have already been significantly weakened, having sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, and do not want to lose their captain.
The Brazilian, however, has already told club chiefs that he'd like to move and join the north London side, and Arsenal are pushing to make that a reality.
Romano: Arsenal Set to Bid £70m for Guimaraes
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates vs Crystal Palacevia Reuters
It was reported on Thursday that Arsenal are prepared to make a formal offer worth £70m to sign the Magpies skipper, having been chasing his signature since his World Cup participation ended earlier this month.
Talks have been ongoing through intermediaries in recent weeks, but the two clubs are now set to engage in formal club-to-club discussions over a deal. Arsenal are ready to go in with a big bid for the 29-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract at St James' Park, but Romano has revealed in his latest YouTube video that it isn't expected to be enough to get a deal done.
"Arsenal will be there again, and the expectation of those taking care of the deal is for Arsenal to present a new bid after getting to £55m plus £10m in add-ons rejected by Newcastle," he said.
"These were all verbal proposals. Now Arsenal are expected to get to £70m for Bruno Guimaraes. £70m is still probably not enough to convince Newcastle, but will be a way to get closer. So Arsenal hope to close the deal for slightly over £70m.
"Arsenal had no intention to overpay. So Morgan Rogers, for example, Arsenal wanted the player. Of course, he was the top target, but for £90m, £100m, they were never going to pay £117m.
"Now Arsenal for Bruno Guimaraes are very clear. £70m is a bid they are willing to present, but they are not going to make something completely crazy."
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Arsenal Will Not Overpay for Targets
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on ahead of Champions League final vs Paris St Germain
Arsenal have identified their top targets for the window, and they are making moves to try and bring them in. But after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, they've made their own stance clear - they won't pay just anything to get deals done.
Guimaraes is a key player to Newcastle, and after they lost two top stars already, they were never going to be easy to deal with. But the player's desire suggests there is a deal there to be done, if an agreement can be found.
Arsenal are not willing to go over the top, and if Newcastle show no interest in even discussing the £70m offer, or something slightly higher, then it may be time for Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta to begin looking elsewhere.
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