Arsenal 'encouraged' by Bruno Guimaraes to 'make move - 'there's a deal to be done'

Newcastle United are fearing a repeat of last summer's Alexander Isak situation after Arsenal opened talks with Bruno Guimaraes' agent.

The Gunners are believed to have been given encouragement that the 28-year-old would be willing to make the move to the Emirates if a deal could be agreed.

Newcastle are extremely reluctant to lose their star player and have already dismissed an initial £55million offer, but could find themselves in a difficult situation.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the growing noise about Guimaraes' future is his agent's attempt at drumming up formal interest.

Arsenal were the first club to make a move, but the likes of Man United and Man City are also believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.

Newcastle are unlikely to budge on their stance that he is not the sale, but after the Isak saga last summer, it has become clear that players can push for moves away.

Could Bruno Guimaraes push to leave Newcastle?

Brown warned Football Insider earlier this year that Guimaraes could look to leave Newcastle if they do not qualify for next season's Champions League.

An eventual 12th-place finish saw the Magpies miss out on European football altogether, and as a result has a number of their players considering their futures.

Following Anthony Gordon's move to Barcelona and speculation about Sandro Tonali's future, there are now fears that Guimaraes could be the next to leave.

"Newcastle are worried that they might face another Alexander Isak situation," Brown told Football Insider.

"That's the problem they're going to face now, they don't want these players to leave so they will block any offers, but if the player wants to move, they will push for it.

"Isak has shown, rightly or wrongly, that pushing for a move often ends with getting what you're after, so other players could follow suit.

"Newcastle don't want to lose Bruno Guimaraes, that's no surprise, but his agent has been putting his name about and speaking to different clubs about a possible move.

"Arsenal are the ones who seem to have made the first move, and they wouldn't have done that without some encouragement that a deal was there to be done.

"Newcastle don't want to sell, so it wouldn't have come from their side, it will have come from the agent and the player and that's a bad sign with regard to his future.

"Arsenal aren't the only ones interested in him, and if he's going to be available I'm sure there will be a few clubs after him, which is far from ideal for Newcastle."

Who are the front-runners to sign Guimaraes?

Given the level of interest in signing Guimaraes this summer, Arsenal's decision to make the first move has seemingly put them in pole position to agree terms.

Despite seeing a verbal offer knocked back by Newcastle, there is a belief the Gunners will return with an improve attempt, with the player's agent playing a big role.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider on 24 June that Guimaraes could push to leave Newcastle due to the club's firm stance on his exit.

King has tipped Liverpool as major suitors for the Brazil international, with Andoni Iraola aiming to bolster his midfield after assessing his squad at Anfield.

He has been tipped as a better and cheaper option than Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, who is now closing in on a huge £116m move to Man City.