Arsenal step up transfer push
Arsenal are ramping up their transfer activity as we enter the final month of the summer window. It has been a hectic few days in N5 regarding transfer news, with the Gunners’ interest in Vinicius Junior dominating the headlines.
The Premier League champions are yet to submit a bid, however, with their pursuit of the Real Madrid superstar dependent on how the player’s talks over a new contract unfold this week.
Elsewhere, Bruno Guimaraes remains a top priority, with the midfielder having been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium for over six weeks now. The long list of rumoured targets also includes Julian Alvarez and a new target in striker Matias Fernandez-Pardo, who has reportedly informed Lille he wants to leave the French side.
Nevertheless, Mikel Arteta’s only signings until now remain Piero Hincapie’s £34.5million permanent switch, Illan Meslier’s arrival as a free agent and Christos Tzolis’ £34m transfer from Club Brugge.
Now, Mirror Football takes a look at two of the latest transfer developments involving Arsenal.
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Arsenal submit improved offer for Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal have reportedly submitted an improved offer for Bruno Guimaraes worth £75m. Reports last week claimed the Gunners had prepared a £70m bid for the Newcastle United midfielder, which was said to have been rejected.
The English champions are understood to have used intermediaries in their negotiations with the Magpies rather than submitting a direct, official bid.
But ESPN Brazil reports that Arsenal have now submitted an offer consisting of a guaranteed fee of £70m, plus £5m in bonuses and add-ons. The report claims this bid is still below what Newcastle value their captain.
However, the report adds that the likelihood of an agreement being reached is high, with negotiations very likely to progress this week.
Guimaraes has informed Newcastle bosses that he wants to leave if an agreement is reached with Arsenal, seeing the north Londoners as a clear step up in his career. Crucially, the 28-year-old will not try to force his way out of St James’ Park if the two clubs don’t agree on a fee.
ESPN also claims Arsenal are close to completing the signing of a centre-back. The outlet reported on its YouTube channel that talks regarding a mystery defender are more advanced than the prospective deal for Guimaraes. As such, it is claimed that a deal for the defender could be completed imminently, though his identity has not been disclosed.
The Gunners have been linked to various defenders in recent weeks, given William Saliba’s back injury is set to rule him out for at least the first few months of the season.
John Stones was one potential target, but the England star is set to become an Inter Milan player this week. Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa is another defender Arsenal have been eyeing, though recent reports claimed the two clubs were far apart in their valuation of the England international.
