Arsenal see Bruno Guimaraes as their ideal midfield signing this summer.
The Brazilian has told Newcastle he wants to leave and his agent network are doing what they can to help a move materialise.
Newcastle were left astonished that he made his feelings known without Arsenal even having made a formal offer, and they are reluctant to sell their captain without signing a replacement first.
Arsenal fans are convinced that may have just been addressed, and now, according to FootballTransfers, the Gunners are close to getting their man.
Arsenal close in on Bruno Guimaraes signing
The report claims that Arsenal are close to securing the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes and only the finishing touches need to be ironed out before the deal is complete.
💰 Bruno Guimaraes is turning 29 in November and has TWO years left on his contract… How much should Arsenal pay to sign him?
Guimaraes has made clear he wants to move to the Emirates, and he will get his wish. It would be Arsenal’s biggest signing of the summer so far and the first of two priority deals Andrea Berta has identified as essential to the title defence.
Newcastle have seemingly lined up his replacement too, having agreed a deal worth up to €40million with Monaco for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Aladji Bamba.
The Frenchman has already flown to Tyneside to complete his medical.
Bamba predominantly plays in the same position as Guimaraes, and his signing suggests Newcastle are planning for life without their captain.
Andrea Berta will now turn his attention to a marquee attacking signing
Bruno is the first of two priority deals Berta has outlined this summer.
The second is a left-sided forward, but not necessarily an out-and-out winger. Someone capable of drifting inside, described in the mould of Julian Alvarez.
FootballTransfers note that Bruno’s deal has played a part in shaping how much Arsenal can spend on that second signing.
Arsenal’s cautious transfer approach has cost them multiple targets already this summer, most notably Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117million after Arsenal baulked at the fee. On Bruno Guimaraes, it appears the patience has paid off.
Who should Arsenal sign now after missing out on Morgan Rogers to Chelsea?
Berta will need to find an alternative to that deal fast, but it seems his next signing could indeed be Guimaraes.
The finishing touches still need to be confirmed, but the end is apparently in sight.
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