There has been a new development in Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal are intensifying their efforts to sign several priority targets in the summer transfer window.
With nearly a fortnight having passed since the window’s official opening, the Gunners have been working behind the scenes to bring in a defender, a central midfielder and a winger, at the very least.
Manager Mikel Arteta may even be handed another £250million to spend in an effort to defend Arsenal’s Premier League crown. Names such as Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga and Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis have been touted for potential moves to the Emirates Stadium in recent days.
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While none of these transfers have been finalised as of yet, the English champions at last confirmed the permanent £34.5m signing of Piero Hincapie on Thursday, following his season-long loan spell in N5.
It now seems sporting director Andrea Berta has turned his attention to strengthening the midfield, with football.london examining two of the most recent transfer stories concerning the north Londoners.
Second Bruno Guimaraes bid ‘prepared’
Arsenal are reportedly set to submit an improved bid for Bruno Guimaraes after having their initial £55m approach rejected by Newcastle. The Gunners submitted a verbal offer for the 28-year-old Brazil international, which was swiftly turned down, as the Magpies maintain he is not for sale.
However, Brazilian publication Globo reports that Berta has already signalled his intention to submit a second bid. The Italian clearly admires the player, having previously attempted to bring Guimaraes to Atletico Madrid in 2020, before the midfielder opted for Lyon instead.
This follows speculation linking Arsenal with another Newcastle central midfielder, Sandro Tonali, whose agent approached Berta in January. For now, interest in Tonali appears to have waned in favour of his team-mate Guimaraes.
£60m midfield alternative
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is another player being monitored by Arsenal ahead of the summer window. The Cherries have reportedly placed a £60m valuation on the 22-year-old, who, considering his age profile, represents a more financially sensible option compared to Guimaraes.
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has now claimed Scott offers better value relative to other top midfielders such as Elliot Anderson, who is reportedly set for a £116m transfer to Manchester City.
Bent said on eSPORTY: “Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m – I’m taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There’s no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he’s just not.
“I like Elliot Anderson, I think he’s a top player but for that money, £120m is crazy. He’s been decent [at the World Cup] but not £120m. Alex Scott for £60m, I promise you now if I had the choice.”
In a separate show, Bent added: “If he comes to Arsenal, I’m just not sure where he plays because you’ve got [Martin] Zubimendi who is the holder, or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, then you have [Declan] Rice as the No.8. You know what though, I’d take him at Arsenal because he’ll get so many minutes. He’s a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in.”
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