Arsenal try to correct six-year-old mistake as Bruno Guimares 'offer' tabled
Arsenal are exploring a move to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes this summer and have already had an initial £55million offer turned down.
Guimaraes, 28, has a contract until 2028 at St James' Park and is yet to indicate a desire to leave the club, where he arrived from Lyon in 2022.
The midfielder is currently at the World Cup with Brazil, providing two assists in a 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday as the five-time champions secured their place in the round of 32.
Newcastle are unwilling to sanction the sale of club captain Guimaraes this summer, and are keen to tie him down to fresh terms.
The Magpies are also locked in negotiations over the potential sale of Sandro Tonali, who has been the subject of a £75m bid from Tottenham.
Arsenal are also reportedly keen on the Italy international, as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta's options in midfield ahead of an aim to retain the Premier League title.
Arsenal approached Bruno Guimaraes in 2020
Guimares first began to catch the eye in 2019, starring for Club Athletico Paranaense in the Brazilian Serie A.
The 22-year-old was the subject of significant interest from several clubs, including Arsenal.
Club president Mario Celso Petraglia confirmed in January 2020 that "Arsenal are interested but will only make an offer towards the end of the season."
Ultimately, that move would come too late and Guimaraes signed for Lyon at the end of the month in a deal worth around £18.5m.
Speaking in 2021, the Brazil international said: "Arsenal approached my agent, but there was no offer."
The Gunners reportedly came back in for the midfielder but were again beaten to the punch when Newcastle signed him in 2022, agreeing to pay a fee worth up to £41.6m.
Guimaraes posts well-timed Instagram story
With their latest move for Guimaraes, Arsenal are attempting to undo the mistake they made when they missed out on the midfielder in 2020.
And should they be successful, they will boast one of the most feared midfield duos in all of Europe by partnering Declan Rice with the Brazilian.
The likelihood of a move will almost certainly come down to the 28-year-old's wishes this summer. A well-timed social media post gave an inkling to some, however.
Just minutes before news of Arsenal's interest emerged, Guimaraes posted a picture of him and Gunners defender Gabriel hugging, captioned: "Big Gabi".