Arsenal have been linked with a move for Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes as they begin to consider alternatives to Manuel Locatelli.
Mikel Arteta’s team will not fight in the transfer market this summer. After already landing Anderlecht Albert Sambi Lokonga and Benfica’s Nuno Tavares, they will spread £ 50 million on Brighton’s Ben White, and the business will not stop there.
Guimaraes has impressed Lyon / Catherine Steenkeste / Getty Images
90min previously reported that Arsenal were prepared to spend £ 250 million on five key goals this summer and in addition to Lokonga and White are chasing three more players; a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a new striker.
In the latter two positions, we have heard a lot about ambitious moves for James Maddison and Lautaro Martinez, who between them would take the transitional expenses to just over 200 million pounds after the white deal is finished and dusted.
When it comes to a new one in the middle, it has been Locatelli we have seen most strongly connected to, but their approach to the Italian is complicated. Juventus are in advanced talks with the midfielder, while recent reports suggest that a bid from Liverpool could test Sassuolo’s determination.
And while the Gunners can remain confident of making a deal for the Italian star, Goal reports that they are considering a Plan B – in the form of Brazil’s Olympic star Bruno Guimaraes.
The 23-year-old is well known to Arsenal’s sports director Edu, who tried to get him from Athletico Paranaense in January 2020 before moving to Lyon. Since joining Ligue 1, the 23-year-old has been quietly impressive and has made a place in Andre Jardine’s Olympic squad – where he has been a virtual constant in their unbeaten group stage.
Lyon are under pressure to sell after failing to qualify for the Champions League, but it is claimed that they will not listen to offers of less than 35 million euros – just under 30 million pounds, and a nice mark-up of the 18 million pounds they paid to write him 18 months ago.
Brighton’s Yves Bissouma is another midfielder Arsenal could look to if the Locatelli deal does not go ahead – although Premier League tax means he would likely cost a lot more.
