Arsenal just got the signal they needed in their chase for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. According to reports, the Gunners have held extensive talks with the player’s camp and they’ve received what’s being called the green light to push forward with a deal. An opening bid of around £55 million was turned down earlier this week, but a second offer is now being prepared.
Guimaraes is currently away at the World Cup with Brazil, but that hasn’t slowed things down. Arsenal are long-time admirers of the midfielder, and the reigning Premier League champions seem confident they can get this done. No official confirmation from either club yet, but the momentum is clearly there.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is exploring something that feels a little weird: a move for Granit Xhaka. Yes, that Granit Xhaka, the former Arsenal captain who turns 34 in September. Reports say Xhaka wants to reunite with Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge. Alonso coached him at Bayer Leverkusen and is now at Chelsea. Standard Sport understands the Blues are interested, but talks haven’t started with Sunderland, who aren’t exactly eager to sell their own captain. Xhaka apparently really wants to come back to London, so this one could get interesting.
Liverpool Faces a Real Fight for Yan Diomande
Liverpool thought they had a clear run at teenager Yan Diomande, but Real Madrid just showed up. The Ivorian star has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while, and they were ready to follow up their surprise £34.5 million signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna with another big-money move. But RB Leipzig wants well over £100 million for the 19-year-old, and negotiations have been frustrating.
Now El Debate in Spain says Real Madrid has entered the race after a disappointing season and Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bernabeu. Paris Saint-Germain is also in the mix. Diomande helped Ivory Coast get to the World Cup round of 32, so his stock is only going up.
Tottenham Is Going Big for Sandro Tonali
Tottenham is serious about fixing their midfield. After back-to-back 17th-place finishes in the Premier League and a last-day escape from relegation at West Ham’s expense, they’re spending. They’ve already brought in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke on defense, with Martin Dubravka joining next week. But now they’re turning to midfield.
TEAMtalk reports Spurs are preparing a second bid for Sandro Tonali worth a club-record £100 million, after Newcastle rejected an initial £75 million offer. They’re also fighting Manchester United for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, which is turning into a messy two-front battle.
If Tonali leaves, Felix Nmecha could head to St. James’ Park for around £50 million from Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool and Manchester United are also linked with the Germany international.
Manchester United Pushes Hard for Fernandes
United is not backing down in the Fernandes chase. Journalist Matteo Moretto says the Red Devils made fresh contact with the player’s camp this weekend and are ready to improve their contract offer. Fernandes is 21, currently at the World Cup with Portugal, and United plans to hold new talks with West Ham to beat Tottenham to the deal. Real Madrid also asked about him, but Jose Mourinho’s priority target in midfield remains Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.
On the outgoing side, United is sending 18-year-old Chido Obi to FC Koln on a season-long loan. He made eight first-team appearances under Ruben Amorim last season but mostly played with the U-21s. The move is meant to get him regular senior minutes in the Bundesliga.
Arsenal is also eyeing Morgan Rogers as a priority target, and Brighton is set to sign Pascal Struijk from Leeds for £20 million to replace Jan Paul van Hecke. Plenty of moving parts, and the window is just getting started.
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