Arsenal are ready to submit an improved offer for Bruno Guimaraes after their £55 million bid was rejected by Newcastle United, according to reports in Brazil.
Mikel Arteta is looking to add a new central midfielder to his squad this summer after he guided Arsenal to the Premier League title last season.
Arsenal have Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes on their midfield shortlist.
However, Globo reports that Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, is leading the club’s negotiations to sign Guimaraes from Newcastle.
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The report claims that Arsenal’s opening £55m bid has been turned down by Newcastle but the Premier League champions ‘have already indicated’ that they will return with a second offer.
Berta tried to sign Guimaraes during his time at Atletico Madrid in 2020 but the Brazilian midfielder ended up joining Lyon from Athletico Paranaense.
Two years later, Newcastle signed Guimaraes from Lyon for £40m and the 28-year-old has established himself as a key figure in Eddie Howe’s side.
Guimaraes has also started in all three of Brazil’s group games at the World Cup and has provided three assists during the tournament.
Meanwhile, Chronicle Live report that Newcastle have no intention of selling Guimaraes to Arsenal this summer and their opening stance to the Gunners is that the midfielder is not for sale.
Newcastle already face the prospect of losing Tonali as Spurs have tabled a £75m bid for the Italy international.
Roberto De Zerbi is a huge admirer of Tonali and has identified him as a key part of his midfield rebuild at Spurs.
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