Arsenal has initiated exploratory discussions regarding potential transfers for Newcastle United’s midfielders, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The Gunners are reportedly looking to strengthen their central midfield options this summer and are evaluating several players, with Guimaraes and Tonali among those actively considered.
Discussions have reportedly taken place with Guimaraes’ representatives to ascertain the conditions for a potential deal for the player. Similar talks have also occurred with Tonali’s agents. However, Newcastle has not yet received a formal approach from Arsenal.
Newcastle’s Stance on Key Players
Newcastle insists they will not entertain offers for the Brazilian midfielder, who is currently with his national team preparing for a World Cup last-32 match against Japan.
The club previously turned down an offer from Tottenham Hotspur for Sandro Tonali and is keen to retain Guimaraes, who serves as the team’s captain and talisman. Newcastle is considered to be in a strong position to negotiate a significant fee for Tonali, particularly with Manchester City also monitoring developments.
Guimaraes, who has two years remaining on his current contract, has been focused on his commitments with Brazil at the World Cup. Tonali, an Italian international, has a contract effectively running until 2030, having signed a new deal during a 10-month betting ban to demonstrate his commitment to the club.
The current transfer market dynamics might also favour Newcastle if a bidding war for their players were to emerge, given the valuations of other midfielders in the market. For instance, Manchester City has reportedly agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign England’s Elliot Anderson for a club record £116 million, while West Ham is seeking a significant fee for Mateus Fernandes.
Arsenal’s Midfield Strategy and Other Targets
Arsenal reportedly aims to sign only one primary central midfielder. Alongside Guimaraes and Tonali, other options under consideration include Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. Sources indicate that the Gunners have expressed strong interest in Scott, who is also attracting attention from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The merits of pursuing Morocco international Bouaddi and West Ham’s Fernandes, who is also a target for Tottenham, have been assessed internally by Arsenal. The age of potential targets, with Guimaraes turning 29 in November and Tonali having turned 26 in May, is likely to be a factor in Arsenal’s valuation.
The arrival of a new central midfielder at Arsenal would likely lead to the departure of a current player in the same position. Denmark’s Christian Norgaard is one player for whom the club would reportedly consider offers. This move could also impact Martin Zubimendi’s role as a regular starter in Mikel Arteta’s team next season.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is known for managing multiple deals concurrently before making a final decision on which one to pursue.
Importance of Guimaraes to Newcastle
Guimaraes’ importance to Newcastle is significant. He is described as the team’s heartbeat and was named the club’s player of the year following a domestic campaign where Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League. He frequently contributed with opening goals, equalisers, and winners during his best goalscoring season.
Newcastle, understandably, does not want to lose him. The club has already seen winger Anthony Gordon depart this summer. Losing Guimaraes, especially without significant first-team signings, would be a considerable blow to Newcastle’s creative and offensive capabilities. Guimaraes has made over 150 appearances for the Tyneside club in the Premier League.
The club needs to demonstrate ambition in the transfer market, particularly to its existing players, after missing out on Spain international forward Victor Munoz, who chose to join Liverpool.
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Source: bbc.com
