Bruno Guimaraes has reportedly been advised to consider a move to Arsenal over Manchester United this summer. The recommendation stems from the belief that he would secure more playing time with the Premier League champions, according to former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre.
Arsenal has shown interest in the Newcastle United midfielder since his transfer from Lyon in January of 2022. Manager Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his midfield options to support Declan Rice, especially with uncertainties surrounding Martin Zubimendi’s long-term role.
Guimaraes, who is said to be keen on leaving St. James’ Park after four years, reportedly desires to play in the Champions League. Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League, meaning they will not participate in the 2026/27 Champions League season.
Transfer Talk Intensifies
Reports suggest that Newcastle is unwilling to sell Guimaraes for less than £90 million. Manchester United has also been linked with the Brazilian midfielder, having already acquired Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to bolster their midfield.
Silvestre indicated that Guimaraes might find it challenging to secure a starting position in Michael Carrick’s lineup at Manchester United due to these recent signings. He suggested that Arsenal would be a more suitable destination for the player.
“I don’t think Manchester United need another top midfield player like Guimaraes after signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to play with Kobbie Mainoo,” Silvestre stated. “Guimaraes will always want to start. When you are starting for the Brazil national team, you need to be starting for your club. So I think Arsenal would be a better fit for him.”
Guimaraes had a strong league campaign, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 29 appearances. Silvestre believes the midfielder possesses qualities that could complement Arsenal’s squad, particularly in comparison to players like Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
“It was a strange one to see Martin Zubimendi benched last season,” Silvestre added. “I thought he had some good performances but there were some blips and then Myles Lewis-Skelly showed he had that extra layer to his game, breaking the lines with his running.”
He further elaborated, “Zubimendi can’t do that. He’s a different kind of player, [but] Guimaraes can do both. He’s a bit more aggressive, or at least more aggressive than Zubimendi, and to defend your title, you’re going to need characters like him.”
Silvestre concluded that acquiring Guimaraes would make sense for Arsenal if they aim to reach the Champions League final again and defend their Premier League title, highlighting the need for depth in the squad.
Potential Move to London
Former Premier League scout Keith Wyness believes a move for Guimaraes to Arsenal is “close enough.” He noted that while Arsenal has made attempts for the midfielder, Newcastle has resisted.
Wyness suggested that Guimaraes holds significant influence in the situation. “If he decides he wants to go to London and play for Arsenal, which I’m hearing he does, then I think you may see Arsenal make the deal sweet enough that Newcastle will have to accept it,” Wyness commented.
He added, “It’s close enough that I think it can get done and structured in some way, and I think Newcastle can see the writing on the wall. It’s a difficult one for them. But I do expect Bruno to push that through.”
Despite suggestions that Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his desire to leave, he is reportedly not planning to force a transfer. Newcastle, however, is not expected to lower their valuation for the player.
Arsenal has already made two summer signings, making Piero Hincapie’s loan permanent and securing Illan Meslier on a free transfer.
Should Newcastle lose Guimaraes, they are reportedly considering Danilo as a potential replacement. Other clubs are also said to be interested in the midfielder.
Newcastle has reportedly already sold players for £170 million and is seeking another £100 million for their midfield star. Guimaraes registered four assists for Brazil during the World Cup, where they were eliminated in the last-16 knockout round.
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Source: football.london
