Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United, according to a major new update from David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist provided the significant update while reporting on Arsenal’s pursuit of Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Junior, revealing that the Gunners’ summer business is far from finished.
Discussing Arsenal’s plans to strengthen their midfield, Ornstein’s report states that the north London club are “closing in on a deal for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes”.
It represents one of the strongest indications yet that the Brazilian midfielder is moving towards becoming an Arsenal player following weeks of negotiations between the two Premier League clubs.
The update comes amid growing confidence surrounding a deal for Guimarães, with Arsenal having made the Newcastle captain one of their leading targets as they look to further strengthen their title-winning squad.
Reports on Thursday suggested an agreement was moving increasingly close, with Arsenal expected to pay a significant fee to finally secure a player they have admired for several years.
Ornstein’s latest information now adds further weight to those claims, with his report describing Arsenal as closing in on the transfer rather than simply holding talks or expressing an interest.
Guimarães would provide another elite option in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi and significantly increase the depth available ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League title defence.
But perhaps most excitingly for supporters, Arsenal apparently have no intention of stopping there.
The same report states that the club want to add a centre-back and another left winger this summer, in addition to strengthening midfield with Guimarães.
A new central defender has become particularly important because of William Saliba’s back injury, which is expected to keep the French international unavailable for the coming months.
Arsenal are also exploring an extraordinary move for Vinícius Junior, whose future at Real Madrid has entered a crucial period because of his contract situation.
The Brazilian winger is approaching talks with Madrid over a potential extension, while Arsenal are ready to take advantage if an agreement cannot be reached.
For now, however, Guimarães appears considerably further along.
With David Ornstein now reporting that Arsenal are “closing in on a deal”, the long-running pursuit of the Newcastle midfielder appears to be approaching its decisive stage.