Incoming Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta reportedly wants to sign a player touted as "exceptional" by Pep Guardiola.
Berta, who has been lined up to replace Edu, is said to be eyeing up a huge £60million move for Newcastle United talisman Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners are already hoping to sign Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi, but they may also make a move for Guimaraes.
With Jorginho and Thomas Partey looking likely to depart when their respective contracts expire in the summer, Berta is apparently eager to see the Brazilian don the red and white at the Emirates Stadium. It is also rumoured the classy midfielder has an agreement with Newcastle that he could leave for around £60m if they do not qualify for the Champions League.
Manchester City boss Guardiola, who has previously praised the ex-Lyon man's attributes, might find it galling if Arsenal manage to secure Guimaraes' signature – especially given City have looked at him in the past too. Reflecting on his qualities last season before facing Newcastle in the FA Cup, Guardiola said: "He is an exceptional holding midfielder.
"He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball. At set pieces, he's aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up. I'm sure he's part of the project for the next years. Definitely."
According to AS, Berta has previously tried to sign the South American for Atletico and will try again at Arsenal. Guimaraes, who made a £41m switch from Lyon to St James' Park in January 2022, has been integral to Newcastle's progress since the takeover by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-led consortium.
Despite being linked with Arsenal prior to his move to the Magpies, the 27-year-old has established himself as a key player for the club.
His time at Newcastle has also resulted in him becoming an established international for Brazil, earning 28 caps since his arrival on Tyneside.
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the London Stadium
Bruno was linked with Arsenal before his move to Newcastle (Image: PA)
In a Sky Sports interview last year, Guimaraes admitted he was happy and enjoying his football at Newcastle. When asked about his future, he said: "Sometimes the people speak a lot about me, I just think about football.
"I'm happy here, in this club doing my best. I love the way the fans like me so I focus on my football and let the people speak. Sometimes (people speak about me leaving Newcastle). I'm very happy here, enjoy it a lot.
"I never felt so much love for the fans like here. They've been unbelievable for me and my family so I try to play for fans. So I hope I can keep going here for as long as possible."
Sport Director Andrea Berta of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between Atletico Madrid v Manchester City at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on April 13, 2022 in Madrid Spain
Berta has a strong track record of signing big players (Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Berta has a record of securing top-tier players, having orchestrated Atletico's signing of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, as well as bargain acquisitions like Jan Oblak from Benfica for £3.4m and Rodri from Villarreal for £21m.
While many Arsenal supporters are keen to see a new striker signed, the club's primary focus is clear as they face the potential loss of Jorginho and Partey, leaving them with only Declan Rice and summer recruit Mikel Merino as traditional defensive midfield options.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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