Arsenal has initiated discussions regarding potential transfers for Newcastle United players Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The Gunners are looking to strengthen their midfield ahead of the upcoming season.
Currently, Arsenal aims to acquire one central midfielder, with Guimaraes and Tonali among the primary targets. Other options include Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Talks have occurred with Guimaraes' camp to explore the conditions for a deal involving the 28-year-old. Similar discussions have taken place with Tonali's representatives. However, Newcastle has not yet received a formal approach from Arsenal.
Newcastle previously rejected an £80 million bid from Tottenham Hotspur for Tonali and is reluctant to part with Guimaraes, who serves as the team's captain. Guimaraes is currently focused on the World Cup, where Brazil will face Japan in the last 32.
Newcastle is in a strong position to demand a fee approaching £100 million for Tonali, especially as Manchester City is also monitoring the situation. Tonali is contracted until 2030 after signing a new deal during a betting ban.
The transfer market dynamics may favor Newcastle, particularly if a bidding war arises. Recent deals, such as Manchester City's £116 million agreement for Elliot Anderson, highlight the high valuations of midfielders.
Arsenal's interest in both Guimaraes and Tonali may be influenced by their ages, with Guimaraes turning 29 in November and Tonali having recently turned 26. The club is also evaluating Scott, who has garnered interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is known for managing multiple negotiations simultaneously before finalizing any deals. The addition of a new midfielder could lead to the sale of a current player, with Denmark's Christian Norgaard being a potential candidate.
