Arsenal set to bid £70m for Newcastle's Guimaraes

Arsenal is set to make a £70m offer for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazil international Guimaraes is a priority target for the Gunners, and the midfielder is keen to join the Premier League champions. Newcastle is aware of the 28-year-old's preference to join Arsenal this summer.

Talks over a potential move for Guimaraes are ongoing and are believed to have accelerated in recent days, though it remains to be seen if Arsenal's £70m offer will meet Newcastle's valuation. Arsenal is determined to strengthen their squad with high-quality players this summer as they look to build on last season's title.

The north London side was interested in signing Morgan Rogers, who has joined Chelsea for £117m from Aston Villa, but Arsenal refused to go higher than their £80m valuation of the player. It is understood Arsenal was given the opportunity to match Chelsea's offer for Rogers but declined. Similarly, Arsenal has set a hardline maximum valuation of Guimaraes and is unwilling to overpay despite their desire to sign the midfielder.

Arsenal also has a major interest in Villa defender Ezri Konsa and has enquired about the England international's availability. Konsa is Arsenal's first-choice defensive target. The Gunners have also listed Como's Jacobo Ramon as a defender they would like to bring in, but clauses in the Spaniard's contract make a deal difficult.

Having missed out on Rogers, the Gunners remain in the market for attacking reinforcements. Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez is Arsenal's dream target, but the player’s current desire to join Barcelona and the potential cost - which could exceed the British record fee of £125m set when Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool - present obvious difficulties. Arsenal has also explored a move for Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.