Manchester City and Manchester United could face competition from Arsenal for the signature of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes this summer, according to a report.
The 26-year-old has become an integral first-team player and a fans' favourite at St James' Park since joining from Lyon in January 2022, contributing with 14 goals and 14 assists in 101 appearances in all competitions.
Guimaraes recently expressed his desire to "stay much longer" at the Magpies, with the Brazil international's contract not due to expire until June 2028.
However, speculation over his future remains rife amid Newcastle's financial predicament, with CEO Darren Eales admitting earlier this year that the club may be forced to sell star players in order to balance their books and comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Manager Eddie Howe has also admitted that he cannot guarantee that Guimaraes will stay at the club beyond this summer's transfer window.
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Arsenal enter race for Guimaraes
Man City have regularly been linked with a big-money move for Guimaraes in recent months, with one report claiming that they have identified the Brazilian as their primary midfield target ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Man United are allegedly ready to battle the Citizens for the signature of Guimaraes, while Chelsea, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest.
However, according to The Sun, Arsenal are considering a summer move for Newcastle's No.39, with Mikel Arteta said to be keen to bolster his midfield options amid uncertainty over the futures of Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Charlie Patino and Mohamed Elneny.
While Elneny is out of contract in the summer, Jorginho, Patino and Partey have all been linked with move to Serie A, although the latter has expressed his desire to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
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Arsenal have advantage over rivals in Guimaraes pursuit?
Although there have been no indications to suggest that Guimaraes in unhappy at Newcastle, it is understood that the midfielder is 'desperate' to play in the Champions League next season, a competition the Magpies are unlikely to qualify for as they sit 16 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League table.
Should Guimaraes opt to seek pastures new, it is claimed that he likes the idea of joining a new club with Brazilian connections, and such a desire seemingly provides a boost for Arsenal who have Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli within their ranks.
Although Guimares is said to be among a number of targets on Arsenal's radar, The Sun states that a centre-forward remains Arteta's top priority for the summer transfer window.
Guimaraes's Newcastle teammate Alexander Isak has been linked with a move to the Emirates, while the likes of Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney are also believed to be on Arsenal's striker shortlist.
