A world-class Brazilian player is now expecting to complete a move to Arsenal this summer, in a huge boost for Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard would have known that only small tweaks were needed to be made to his Arsenal squad rather than major change, after a stunning campaign in which they won the Premier League title and came within a penalty shootout of winning the Champions League.
Arteta would have wanted to add a couple of quality players in key positions to ensure that the Gunners can not only retain their league title next term, but also to go one step further and win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
The Gunners' summer business so far has been quite low-key, with the only two additions being goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, while they have signed prolific Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
The north Londoners want another high-profile attacker on top of Tzolis though, and they had been hoping to land Morgan Rogers, before he completed a £117m move to London rivals Chelsea instead.
Arsenal are now targeting an audacious move for Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior, as well as one of his teammates.
Bruno Guimaraes Expects to Join Arsenal
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes smiles as he walks into St James' Parkvia Reuters
Arsenal have been working behind the scenes on a move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes in recent weeks, but the story took a new twist on Thursday morning when it was confirmed that Magpies boss Eddie Howe will be leaving the club.
One of the reasons for his departure, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, is the summer exits of some of the club's biggest stars.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have left for Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, while there is a growing likelihood that his skipper is on his way to the Emirates.
That is what the 'world-class' Brazilian star is expecting to happen anyway, according to the i Paper, ahead of his expected return to pre-season training with the Magpies on Monday.
Losing three key players on the back of Alexander Isak last summer certainly isn't a good look for a club with big ambitions.
Arsenal Close to £70m+ Guimaraes Transfer Agreement
Bruno Guimaraesvia Reuters
Reports emerged on Thursday afternoon that, just hours after Howe's exit from St James' Park, Arsenal are now closing in on a deal to sign Guimaraes for a fee in excess of £70m.
Newcastle have been denying for weeks that there has been any club-to-club contact between them and the Gunners over a deal for the Brazil international, but now further reports are saying that the deal is on the verge of happening.
What is clear is that Guimaraes himself wants the move, with the 28-year-old seeing it as an opportunity to play at the elite level again, after Newcastle missed out on European football altogether for next season.
Arsenal will hope that if they do complete a deal for the Newcastle captain, they can then also pull off an ambitious move for Vinicius Junior, as his contract talks continue to stall at the Bernabeu.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!