Arsenal preparing £70MILLION transfer bid for Bruno Guimaraes after star, 28, told Newcastle he wants to join Gunners

ARSENAL are preparing a £70million bid for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners want to sign a new midfielder this summer and the Brazilian is their prime target. Bruno Guimaraes remains Arsenal’s top midfield target as the Gunners prepare a £70million bid Credit: Getty Eddie Howe is determined to keep hold of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes this summer Credit: Getty Newcastle are adamant that they do not want to sell their skipper this summer, but Arsenal are set to test their resolve with an offer of £70m. Talks through intermediaries had previously suggested the Premier League champions were willing to cough up around £60m. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Guimaraes has informed the Magpies of his desire to move to the Emirates and talks are expected to accelerate this week. Arsenal have made a slow start to the transfer window, however they did complete a £34m deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis yesterday (THU). Defender Piero Hincapie has also joined permanently for £34m after spending last season on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier joining on a free. Arsenal missed out on the signing of Morgan Rogers, though, who joined Chelsea for £117m. Mikel Arteta was a big fan of the forward and the Gunners had been pursuing him throughout this summer. But the club turned down the chance to match Chelsea’s huge offer that led to Aston Villa selling the England star. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Mikel Arteta is stepping up Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes as he looks to strengthen his midfield Credit: Getty Arsenal want to sign a defender, midfielder and forward before the transfer window closes. Ezri Konsa is a target in defence after it was confirmed a back injury will keep William Saliba out for a few months. John Stones is another option on the table after his contract with Manchester City expired at the end of last month. In attack, Arsenal are big fans of Julian Alvarez – but Atletico Madrid publicly and privately insist the striker is not for sale. France star Bradley Barcola could be on the move from Paris Saint-Germain, however Liverpool are favourites to snap him up. 1 comment1