Arsenal identify Bruno Guimaraes and Arthur as January midfield targets
Arsenal have identified Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes and Juventus’ Arthur Melo as targets to bolster the midfield department this month, reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano claims.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta recently admitted that the club are very short in options in the centre of the park with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny away on international duty.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also been allowed to join Roma on loan. This leaves Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga as the specialist senior options for the central midfield role.
A new midfielder is likely to be signed soon, and Romano claims that Guimaraes and Arthur are on the Gunners’ radar.
The former is ‘appreciated’ by the north London club, but a deal appears difficult owing to the €45 million price tag. Hence, the Gunners are considering a loan approach for Arthur.
Our view:
Arteta has the choice of utilising Martin Odegaard or Emile Smith Rowe in central midfield. Ben White and Calum Chambers have also had good success from the position.
Meanwhile, club graduate Charlie Patino has been tipped as a future star, but the Spanish tactician appears keen on pursuing a specialist option to boost the club’s top-four push.
Lyon have been a tricky club to deal with for the Gunners over the years. The French outfit haggled over the price tag for Houssem Aouar, and may not negotiate by any means.
The Gunners were keen on landing Guimaraes when he was at Athletico Paranaense, but Les Gones won the race for his services during the 2020 January transfer window.
While they signed him for around €20 million, there is also a sell-on clause that entitles Paranaense to 20 per cent of the profit on a future transfer for the midfielder.
Hence, there are no surprises over Lyon’s stance. A loan deal for Arthur appears more feasible at the current point, but the Gunners are yet to make a formal approach.
It has been reported that the club have three names on their shortlist. The third could be Palmeiras’ Danilo. The Gunners have reportedly made a €25 million bid for the 20-year-old.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Read: Arsenal make bid to sign Brazilian midfielder Danilo.
