Manchester United have agreed to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50million.
Santos is a talented midfielder, no doubt, but he is also Brazil’s sixth or seventh-choice central midfielder, and missed out on Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad this summer.
He sits well behind Bruno Guimaraes in the pecking order, who was a shining light in Brazil’s disappointing tournament.
Right now, there is a significant gap in quality between the two players.
💰 Bruno Guimaraes is turning 29 in November and has TWO years left on his contract… How much should Arsenal pay to sign him?
The fee United are paying for Santos is a problem for the Premier League champions.
Why Manchester United’s Andrey Santos deal could drive Bruno Guimaraes’ price up
Up to now, Arsenal have been confident that £65million would be enough to sign Guimaraes.
That figure already looked optimistic given Newcastle’s public insistence that he is not for sale.
Now, with United paying £50million for Santos, Newcastle have every justification to demand considerably more for their captain and best player.
The transfer market has already lost all sense this summer. Sandro Tonali went for £100million. Elliot Anderson for £116million.
Arsenal walked away from the Tonali deal due to the finances involved and are now pursuing Guimaraes as the smarter alternative.
But Newcastle will not sell both their best midfielders in the same window easily, and the Santos fee gives them a reference point to demand closer to £100million for a player who is objectively far better.
Yes, there is a six-year age gap between Santos and Guimaraes, and Arsenal may be reluctant to go significantly higher for a 28-year-old.
But right now, the difference in quality between the two players is just as significant as the difference in age.
Guimaraes would move the needle at Arsenal, and instantly improves the starting XI. Can the same be said for Santos?
Arsenal have to get the Bruno Guimaraes deal done regardless
Newcastle will not want to sell Guimaraes after letting Tonali go to Tottenham. But if Guimaraes pushes for a move, their hand may be forced.
The two clubs will likely need to meet somewhere between £65million and £100million, and it could drag out across the window.
Bruno Guimaraes posted this video about Arsenal in 2022. Do you still want to sign him?
But Andrea Berta has to get it over the line. Guimaraes alongside Declan Rice would give Arsenal arguably the best midfield partnership in the Premier League.
It would also relieve the burden on Rice during the periods when he needs managing — something that has never been more obvious than watching him play through pain at this World Cup.
The Santos deal has made it harder, but it is still doable. Arsenal just have to be willing to pay the money.
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