Arsenal have agreed a midfielder transfer that hints a deal for Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes is close to being finalised
Mikel Arteta has sanctioned an Arsenal transfer
Mikel Arteta has sanctioned an Arsenal transfer(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Everton are set to sign Christian Norgaard from Arsenal for a fee in the region of £7million, according to football.london's sister-title The Liverpool Echo. It is also understood that he is expected to undergo a medical next week.
Exits have not been the utmost priority for the Gunners in recent weeks with deals for Vinicius Jr and Bruno Guimaraes being pursued. To let Norgaard leave, however, it suggests there is confidence at Emirates Stadium that a deal for the latter will go through.
The Dane's departure being sanctioned will also create space in the squad for Guimaraes with that deal seemingly set to be finalised over the coming days.
Though Norgaard was not frequently used by Mikel Arteta, it was likely a move that needed to take place in order for a player in that same position - which in this case is Guimaraes - to join.
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There have been multiple reports that an agreement between Newcastle United and Arsenal has been reached. football.london understands that is not quite the case yet but that talks using intermediaries are close to hitting the financial sweet spot which will then result in an offer being lodged.
Guimaraes is expected to cost roughly £80m with it quite the upgrade on Norgaard, who joined from Brentford for just £10m, plus add-ons.
Myles Lewis-Skelly looks set to feature more frequently in the middle of the park next season which will help Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi after both players struggled towards the latter end of the campaign.
The former is in fact still battling fitness issues with Guimaraes likely to start in midfield, potentially ahead of Rice, for their opening fixture against Coventry.
Even though that clash is just a few weeks away from starting, Guimaraes has not fully started pre-season having been at the World Cup with Brazil.
Bruno Guimaraes in action for Brazil
Bruno Guimaraes is due to start pre-season on Sunday but it remains to be seen whether it will be with Arsenal or Newcastle
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He was due to fly out to La Manga with the Newcastle squad on Friday but that was pushed back by 48 hours. However, he may not even join up with his current team-mates if a switch to north London is agreed this weekend.
Matthias Jaissle is set to lead that training camp after Eddie Howe shockingly quit as manager earlier this week. Guimaraes later posted an emotional message to his former boss on social media
In addition to Guimaraes, there is growing confidence over a sensational deal for Vinicius with Real Madrid's final contract offer reportedly on the table.