This isn't like the Watkins scenario cause we didn't bid twice for him. It was a one and done hail Mary. We have been told we can get Bruno G and he actually wants Arsenal.
Arsenal prepared to make a formal bid to Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes after seeing a verbal offer via intermediaries of around £55m turned down. Newcastle insist they don’t wish to sell, but direct club-to-club contact is now anticipated.
As reported yesterday, Alex Scott, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Sandro Tonali other names on the radar. Matheus Fernandes has also been looked at, but Spurs and Manchester United more advanced as it stands.
Overlap with other Premier League clubs for each target. #MCFC want another midfielder post Elliot Anderson.
Spurs also want to sign two midfielders.
Manchester United will add at least one more midfielder.
And Chelsea and Liverpool could also explore a central midfield reinforcement.
More on @talkSPORT.🎙️
🤝 @alex_crook
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal are discussing internally to return with new bid for Bruno Guimarães after £55m immediately rejected.
Newcastle mantain their stance with player’s camp and #AFC, no plans to sell the Brazilian. 🇧🇷
🎥➕ https://t.co/XY0RcXbWc0
As far as I am aware this is what has been going on. Arsenal were interested in Fernandes / Tonali / Pablo Barrios (exclusive). When Tonali was offered to us at the end of January, it peaked everyone's interest at the club. Berta kept in contact as did City. It became clear the deal was not feasible due to Newcastle wanting £85m or even more. To further add, the agent fees are incroyable. Barrios was not available for several reasons. Fernandes is heavily involved with Jorge Mendes and it became quickly apparent that there would be a bidding war at a minimum of £85m. It has now even been stated, 'whoever pays the most can have him'.
Berta then made contact multiple times to explore the situation of Alex Scott, the interest is real and there was a feeling a potential bargain could be secured around £65m. Bournemouth began to panic while Alex Scott was out in the USA with the England pre camp and want to rush to secure a renewal for Scott with a possible release clause. Their stance currently is he is not for sale at any price.
Is it becoming apparent we have approximated budget for the midfielder? (Investing in other areas)
As for Bruno G let me clarify… Berta made contact with his camp via Kia. A loose offer below £60m was floated to Newcastle via these middle men to understand their appetite for any deal. Newcastle say he is not for sale. Kia being involved is something you must keep an eye on for reasons every Arsenal fan should be aware of. When an offer is serious, it is officially submitted to the club hence me saying Newcastle have had no contact yet from Arsenal as of 9am. Newcastle will not lose both of their midfielders, so maybe Berta tried a cheeky offer before the Tonali deal has gone through. Until a serious offer is presented or our budget changes, we wait.
Arsenal have contacted the likes of Bouaddi / Kone and others I don’t want to discuss yet but no one else is providing these step by step updates and its incredibly exhausting. Personally think Bouaddi or Bruno would be incredible.
🚨 Arsenal made verbal offer to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United. #AFC proposal through intermediaries below £60m - rejected + #NUFC insist sale of 28yo #Brazil int’l midfielder will not be entertained. W/ @gunnerblog@ChrisDHWaugh@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/EAsKXjwYCW