Arsenal are on the verge of completing a deal for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with the two clubs reported to have reached an agreement in principle over a transfer fee believed to be between £75million and £80million. The Brazilian midfielder is expected to undergo a medical this week after reporting for Newcastle's pre-season training camp in La Manga, Spain, where he reiterated his desire to leave the club to club officials and new head coach Matthias Jaissle.
Negotiations had appeared to stall after Newcastle rejected Arsenal's opening offer, but talks progressed quickly and the Premier League champions are now understood to be closing in on what would be a marquee signing ahead of their title defence. Newcastle stand to make a substantial profit on the £38million they paid Lyon for Guimaraes back in 2022, though his departure would mark the club's third significant exit of the summer following Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Arsenal's business does not appear to be stopping there. The club remain heavily linked with a club-record move for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, with reports suggesting growing confidence at the Emirates that a deal worth around £128million could be struck. The situation hinges on ongoing contract talks between Vinicius and Real Madrid, with the Brazilian reportedly seeking wages close to €30million per year while the Spanish giants have so far held firm on an offer of €22million annually. Should those talks break down, Arsenal are said to be well placed to capitalise.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are bracing for further transfer interest after Manchester United identified left-back Lewis Hall as a top target, in a deal reportedly worth around £60million. However, Newcastle are said to be determined to resist any further sales this summer and insist Hall is not for sale, particularly with Guimaraes already set to depart.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are pursuing reinforcements out wide as they continue talks over a move for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, while also showing strong interest in PSG's highly rated teenage forward Ibrahima Mbaye. Reports indicate that discussions have already taken place with representatives for the Senegalese youth international, who is said to favour a move to Anfield over previous interest from Bayer Leverkusen. Liverpool's move for Mbaye and Barcola comes as the club looks to bolster its attacking options following Mohamed Salah's departure. PSG themselves are reportedly closing in on Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche as a potential replacement for Barcola.
Salah's next destination appears to be taking shape, with Turkish side Trabzonspor confirming that discussions are underway to sign the Egyptian forward as a free agent. In an official statement, the club said: "Negotiations have been launched to transfer professional footballer Mohamed Salah, who is in a free status, to our club." Salah left Liverpool this summer after nine trophy-laden years at Anfield, having scored 257 goals in 442 appearances and won two Premier League titles and one Champions League crown.
At Chelsea, Xabi Alonso's rebuild continues apace. The club are reportedly closing in on a deal for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, who would become the club's tenth signing of the summer. Chelsea are also benefiting from Mykhailo Mudryk's return to availability following the resolution of his anti-doping disciplinary case with the Football Association, further strengthening an already expansive squad that currently numbers 41 senior players.
Elsewhere in the market, Tottenham are believed to be exploring a move for Girona winger Savinho following Bryan Gil's departure, while also showing interest in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. Former Ajax and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has also weighed in on transfer speculation, suggesting Arsenal may not necessarily need Vinicius given the arrival of Christos Tzolis, while also warning Spurs they risk missing out on Victor Osimhen if they do not move quickly.
Based on reporting from London Standard and The Independent.