Newcastle United signed Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in 2022 and Sandro Tonali from AC Milan in 2023
Arsenalare set to make a move forNewcastle Unitedmidfielder Bruno Guimaraes after holding exploratory talks.
The Gunners have explored approaches for either Guimaraes or his club team-mate Sandro Tonali as they look to bolster their midfield.
During discussions aimed at checking the financial conditions of a deal for Guimaraes. it is understood a fee of around £60m was initially intimated with the 28-year-old's representatives.
Arsenalare now poised to make a fresh offer as they remain in talks over a deal for the Brazil international,. it is understoodNewcastlehave not yet had an official approach.
Discussions have also taken place with Tonali's representatives as the Gunners assess numerous options in their desire to add a new central midfielder to their squad this summer.
As things stand, it is understood they only want one leading central midfielder, whileBournemouth's Alex Scott. Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi are other players being considered.
Newcastle have already turned down a bid of around £80m from Tottenham Hotspur for Tonaliand do not want to lose Guimaraes, the team's captain. talisman.
Guimaraes. who has two years left on his contract, has been focused on his efforts with Brazil at the World Cup, where his side will face Japan in the last 32.
As BBC Sport previously reported,Newcastleare in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m for Tonali asManchester Cityalso monitor developments.
The Italian international is effectively contracted until 2030 after he signed a new contract during his 10-month betting ban to repay the faith the club showed in him.
The current transfer market might also work inNewcastle's favour, if a bidding war ensues, given the valuations of midfielders elsewhere.
Manchester City have agreed a dealwithNottingham Forestto sign England's Elliot Anderson for a club record £116m. whileWest Hamwant up to £80m for Mateus Fernandes, 21.
With Guimaraes turning 29 in November. Tonali having turned 26 in May, the age of both players is likely to emerge as a key factor in how muchArsenalwould be willing to pay.
But sources have indicated the Gunners have also expressed a firm interest in 22-year-old Scott. who currently has interest fromManchester UnitedandChelsea.
The merits of swoops for Morocco international Bouaddi andWest Ham's Fernandes. who is also a key target forTottenham, have also been assessed internally.
Arsenalsporting director Andrea Berta is renowned for working on numerous deals simultaneously before making a final decision on. one to execute.
The arrival of another central midfielder will lead to the sale of a current player in the same position. with Denmark's Christian Norgaard, 32, someone the club will listen to offers for.
It could also bring into question Martin Zubimendi's role as a regular starter in Mikel Arteta's starting XI next season.
The window has not long been open,. some of the Premier League's highest-earning clubs have their eyes onNewcastle's best players.
Tottenham Hotspurhave already made an unsuccessful opening offer for Tonali. whileArsenalhold an interest in the Italian as well as fellow midfielder Guimaraes.
Tonali is a key player atNewcastle,. it is hard to overstate Guimaraes' importance - the Brazilian really is this team's heartbeat.
Last season was a bruising domestic campaign, one in whichNewcastlefinished a disappointing 12th in the Premier League,. Guimaraes tellingly still emerged with some credit as the club's player of the year.
The midfielder repeatedly popped up with openers, equalisers and winners in his best ever goalscoring season (9).
Newcastle, understandably, don't want to lose him.
They had to become better sellers, but simply cannot afford for Guimaraes, Tonali, Anthony Gordon. Alexander Isak to depart in the space of just a year.
What sort of message would that send?
After missing out on Spain international forward Victor Munoz. who opted to joinLiverpool,Newcastleneed a breakthrough of their own in the transfer market.
They have to signal some form of ambition again - not least to the players they currently have.
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