Arsenal have accelerated their efforts in the January transfer window by offering €25m for defensive midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Athletico Paranaense in Brazil.
Benfica are also competing for the 22-year-old's signature but it's the Gunners who are putting more money on the table.
“Yes it's true. Yesterday came the official offer from Benfica to sign Bruno Guimarães,” said Athletico-PR club president Petraglia told O Jogo. “Let's study Benfica's offer. On Monday we will meet the club board to assess this situation.”
“Arsenal are interested, but will only make an offer towards the end of the season.” Arsenal originally planned on making a Guimarães a priority transfer target in June but have intensified their efforts due to immediate demands to strengthen the midfield.
Atletico Madrid have also previously expressed an interest in Guimarães, who has a release clause of €40 million, per Sport Witness.
Who is Bruno Guimarães?
Youth product Bruno Guimarães is one of the most exciting midfielders in Brazilian football. Known primarily as a central midfielder, he is also capable of playing a deeper holding role as well.
Arsenal are looking for more defensive reinforcements, and to fill the void just in case the mercurial Granit Xhaka still decides to leave the club this summer.
As well as having a good relationship with Arsenal technical director Edu, Guimaraes is represented by Giuliano Bertolucci, the same agent as Arsenal central back David Luiz.
According to journalist Bruno Andrade, getting a work permit in the UK shouldn't be a problem either because Guimaraes owns a Spanish passport.
But Arsenal fans shouldn't get their hopes up as new boss Mikel Arteta has already admitted that he's “not expecting big things” in the January transfer window.
The Gunners already spent over $170 million in the summer window, breaking the bank for $91.2 million record-signing Nicolas Pepe.
Should Guimarães put pen to paper, he represents yet another promising talent recommended by Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao.
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