Arsenal have had two bids for central midfielders rejected in recent days, according to reports from The Athletic and TalkSPORT. The Gunners saw a verbal offer of around £55m for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes turned down, with the Magpies reportedly informing intermediaries that the player is not for sale.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is now considering whether to submit a higher bid for the 28-year-old Brazil international, though Newcastle have yet to receive a direct offer from the London club. Personal terms are not expected to be a barrier to any potential deal.
The rejection of the Guimaraes bid follows a similar outcome in Arsenal’s approach for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. The Cherries are adamant that the 22-year-old is not for sale and are working on a contract extension to tie him to the club beyond 2028.
With both primary targets proving difficult to acquire, Arsenal are reportedly exploring alternative options. Trusted reporter Ben Jacobs has suggested that the club could attempt to redirect Sandro Tonali, currently expected to join Tottenham Hotspur, to the Emirates Stadium. Tonali is poised to leave Newcastle this window.
Spurs are currently leading the race for Tonali, largely due to the influence of manager Roberto De Zerbi, but Arsenal’s track record in head-to-head transfer battles with their north London rivals suggests they may pose a significant challenge. The potential acquisition of either Guimaraes, Scott, or Tonali would bolster Arsenal’s midfield options ahead of a challenging season that includes Champions League football.
These setbacks highlight the competitive nature of the transfer market, even for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Securing midfield reinforcements remains a priority for Mikel Arteta as he aims to build upon last season’s Premier League title challenge.
