Zubimendi transfer ‘decision’ could now prompt Bruno Guimaraes Arsenal deal

Bruno Guimaraes is seemingly back as a top target for Arsenal this summer after contract negotiations with Martin Zubimendi are said to have stalled.

Guimaraes, 26, is believed to be available for the right price before June 30, with Newcastle United potentially needing a significant sale to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. The Brazil international has a £100m release clause, which expires around the same time, in the new contract he signed with Newcastle last October.

Manchester City are another club credited with an interest in the central midfielder, but neither of the Premier League title rivals seems set to pay the nine-figure transfer fee. Arsenal, instead, could get creative in their attempts to do a deal.

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FootballTransfers reports that after not hearing back from Zubimendi’s agency, IDUB GLOBAL about the wages they were willing to offer, Arsenal have changed their focus to Guimaraes following those frustrating negotiations. Interest in the Newcastle man is said to have intensified this month.

Arsenal may even make a player-plus-cash offer to the North East club, as they are reportedly willing to consider accepting such a proposal should the fee be enough to solve their PSR plight. Whether any deal would work with Guimaraes at the Copa America in the United States until at least early next month is unclear.

The scenario is similar to Zubimendi, who is with Spain at Euro 2024 in Germany. The Real Sociedad player also has a reported release clause of £51m but is concentrated on the tournament rather than his future.

“I mainly look for the benefit of the national team; I am not thinking about what I can win in this European Championship (by impressing other clubs),” Zubimendi said earlier this week. “All my energy is focused on the group, on winning it, and the individual will be a consequence of all this that will come later. I’m not thinking about this now.”