David Ornstein: Arsenal really like Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, his release clause can be triggered
Arsenal really like Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes with a big summer approaching the North London club, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The Gunners are expected to bolster their squad during the next transfer window after their recent struggles in the Champions League and Premier League, and they could be open to strengthening their options in the middle of the park.
With Albert Sambi Lokonga expected to move on permanently at the end of the season and the futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey at the Emirates Stadium club in doubt, bringing in a new holding midfielder could be a priority for Arsenal, and landing Guimaraes could appeal to them.
“Then you go into that sort of midfield bracket, somebody Arsenal and other clubs really like Bruno Guimaraes,” Ornstein said on the latest episode of The Athletic FC podcast.
“He can play in the 8 and the 6 positions. Newcastle will hope to keep hold of him, there is a release clause though.
“Anyone who is going to take him, he has got to deliver straight away.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admires the Brazil international, and it appears his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta does too.
“He is an exceptional holding midfielder,” the Catalan said concerning Guimaraes ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final game in March.
“He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball. At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.”
With Declan Rice often playing further forward in recent games, Jorginho has been largely tasked with protecting the back-four, and while the Italian has been solid, Guimaraes could prove to be an upgrade and the perfect long-term replacement.
The 26-year-old is also a huge attacking threat, with four goals and six assists to his name in 31 Premier League games this term, and Arsenal could do with such a midfielder right now.
