Arsenal are close to securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have already signed Piero Hincapie (buy clause), Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis this summer, and they are planning to make more additions before the new season.
A marquee midfielder is one of the club’s top priorities, and The Times claim that Arsenal are on the cusp of reaching an agreement with Newcastle United for their captain Bruno Guimaraes.
They are ‘close to agreeing to pay’ an initial £70 million plus £10 million in add-ons for the 28-year-old. The Gunners are hopeful that the midfielder will have a medical on Monday.
The Guimaraes-to-Arsenal story has dragged on for several weeks, but it appears there will be a conclusion next week with a formal agreement for the Brazilian ace.
The former Lyon man has already agreed on personal terms over a five-year deal with the Gunners, and a transfer should be a formality once the Magpies give the green light.
Newcastle-based sources continue to insist that no official approach has been made, but it is a normal practice to use intermediaries to strike a deal before a formal transfer offer.
We won’t be surprised if an official proposal is made tomorrow before a medical on Monday.
Guimaraes would be a fabulous upgrade for the Gunners’ central midfield ahead of the new season. He could easily interchange positions with Declan Rice in the XI and should offer more creativity.
The Brazilian star, described as ‘very special‘ by former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, made 15 goal contributions in the English top-flight last term despite missing a lengthy period with a hamstring injury. He was good defensively for the Magpies too.
The 28-year-old won almost six duels alongside two tackles and five recoveries per game. He would be a level-raiser for Arsenal and should bolster their Premier League title defence next term.
Arsenal are also keen on landing Guimaraes’ compatriot Vinicius Junior in an ambitious move from Real Madrid. If the Gunners can pull it off, they would be clear-cut favourites to win the league.
Stats from Sofascore & Transfermarkt