But they are also in advanced talks to sign Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for £80million. And he could be paired with international team-mate Vinicius Jr, who is set to make a decision on his future this week. The Brazilian has just one year left on his Real Madrid contract and will decide shortly whether to renew, join Arsenal, or let his contract expire in 12 months’ time. Here, Express Sport runs through the latest Arsenal transfer news…
Real Madrid issue Vinicius Jr update
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Vinicius Jr will rejoin training with the rest of the squad on Monday despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Brazilian forward continues to be embroiled in a contract dispute with the Spanish giants and, with under 12 months left on his existing deal, tension is mounting on both parties.
Arsenal are keeping a close eye on developments and stand prepared to provide Vinicius Jr an exit from the Bernabeu should negotiations break down. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old does not seem poised to take any extreme measures to engineer a departure.
“On Monday, Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive,” Mourinho told Real Madrid’s official website. “I’m concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It’s not possible.”
Discussions over fresh terms continue, with both sides still aiming to find common ground. Yet negotiations seem to have reached a stalemate and should the impasse persist, Arsenal will be poised to strike.
Arteta has suggested that Arsenal are gearing up for a hectic conclusion to the transfer window, disclosing the club have “very ambitious” plans and urging supporters to “expect movements” in the weeks ahead.
The Gunners have been sluggish off the mark in the transfer market this summer, with the remainder of the ‘Big Six’ splashing nearly £850m collectively on fresh talent. Yet that appears set to shift, with Arteta maintaining that the club will not “sit still” much longer.
“We are already active and trying to improve on and evolve the team. That is clear,” he said. “We expect to have movements in the next few weeks. Obviously we want to get better like anyone else and you can see the transfer market, and our opponents, what we are doing. We won’t sit still and we are very ambitious with where we want to go.”
Arteta then caused a stir in his press conference when he declined to comment on speculation linking Arsenal with a stunning pursuit of Vinicius Jr, instead responding with a wry smile and a simple “thank you” when quizzed about the Real Madrid forward before leaving the room.