Arsenal must move fast for £65m transfer target before it is too late

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Brazil’s win over Japan in the World Cup Round of 32 threw up an interesting subplot for Arsenal fans.

Bruno Guimaraes provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s winning goal in Houston, and fans watching on were already imagining that kind of combination playing out at the Emirates next season.

That may now be closer than first thought, but Arsenal cannot afford to wait.

According to Newcastle insider Lee Ryder, Arsenal have not yet made an official bid but believe £65million could be enough to get a deal done.

A verbal offer of £45million, presented through intermediaries, was already rejected.

💰 Bruno Guimaraes is turning 29 in November and has TWO years left on his contract… How much should Arsenal pay to sign him?

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Newcastle insist Guimaraes is not for sale, but there are growing fears within the club that his head has been turned.

The super agent behind Gabriel’s Arsenal deal has been pictured with Bruno’s camp

Guimaraes’ agent, Alexis Malavolta, is part of the Bertolucci group, run by super agent Giuliano Bertolucci — the same man who brokered deals for both Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz at Arsenal.

Bertolucci has been following Guimaraes’ World Cup campaign in the US, and was pictured alongside Malavolta and fellow super agent Kia Joorabchian — a name Arsenal fans should be very familiar with.

They insist they are simply good friends, but Newcastle are not so sure.

Guimaraes left for the World Cup with no new contract sorted out. He is said to be concerned about the direction of the Newcastle project after a string of high-profile exits, including Alexander Isak’s £125m sale to Liverpool, and a drop from fifth to twelfth in the Premier League last season.

Arsenal need to move quickly for Bruno Guimaraes

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85million, and reports suggest they want Sandro Tonali on top of that.

Newcastle will surely not want to sell both of their best midfielders, so Arsenal need to act fast to have the best chance of landing Guimaraes before Spurs swoop in for Tonali.

And from a purely football perspective, it would be an outstanding signing. People inside Arsenal believe Guimaraes complements Declan Rice better than Tonali would, and he would cost considerably less than the £100m Newcastle have been asking for the Italian.

At 28, he would be signing a four-year deal that takes him to 32, so there is some risk there in terms of finances, but the immediate quality he would bring to Arteta’s midfield is undeniable.

The agent links, the contract situation, the growing concern within the Newcastle camp. All the ingredients are there.

Arsenal believe £65million gets it done. They just need to pull the trigger.