Arsenal Explores Newcastle's Guimaraes and Tonali as Midfield Options

Arsenal have opened exploratory talks over ambitious moves for Newcastle United duo Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, as the club sharpen their focus on landing a single, top-tier central midfielder this summer.

The conversations are still at the information-gathering stage. Arsenal have spoken to the camps of both Guimaraes and Tonali to understand the conditions, cost and feasibility of any deal. At this point, Newcastle have not received a formal approach from the London club.

What is clear, though, is the level of difficulty. Newcastle have already rejected a bid of around £80m from Tottenham Hotspur for Tonali and are adamant they do not want to lose Guimaraes, the captain and heartbeat of Eddie Howe’s side.

One marquee midfielder, many options

Inside Arsenal, the plan is defined: one leading central midfielder, not two. The recruitment team are running several tracks at once, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi also firmly in the frame.

Guimaraes, 28, has two years left on his contract and remains locked in on Brazil’s World Cup campaign, with Japan awaiting in the last 32. Tonali, 26, is in a different contractual position entirely. Newcastle are in a strong position to demand close to £100m for the Italian, with Manchester City keeping a close eye on developments.

Tonali is effectively tied to Newcastle until 2030 after signing a new deal during his 10‑month betting ban, a gesture that underlined the club’s faith in him and strengthened their hand in any negotiation.

The market is only hardening that stance. Manchester City have agreed a club-record £116m fee with Nottingham Forest for England midfielder Elliot Anderson, while West Ham are holding out for up to £80m for 21-year-old Mateus Fernandes. Those figures give Newcastle every reason to stand firm and wait for a bidding war if one emerges.

Age, value and Arsenal’s calculation

For Arsenal, age will sit alongside price on the decision line. Guimaraes turns 29 in November, Tonali only just turned 26 in May. Both are near or at their peak years, which brings immediate impact but less long-term resale value.

That is where Alex Scott comes into sharper focus. At 22, the Bournemouth midfielder fits the profile of a long-term project who can grow with the squad. Sources indicate Arsenal’s interest in him is strong, despite rival attention from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Inside the club, the merits of moves for Morocco international Bouaddi and West Ham’s Fernandes have also been weighed. Fernandes, notably, is a key target for Tottenham, adding another layer of intrigue to an already congested midfield market.

Berta’s web of deals and the knock-on effect

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is known for spinning multiple plates at once, working several deals in parallel before choosing which one to close. This summer is no different. Guimaraes, Tonali, Scott, Bouaddi, Fernandes – all sit on the same board, but only one is expected to land.

Any arrival in that position will trigger a departure. Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for Denmark international Christian Norgaard, now 32, as they refresh the core of Mikel Arteta’s midfield.

There is another consequence. A major signing in the centre of the pitch would inevitably raise questions over Martin Zubimendi’s status as a guaranteed starter next season. Arteta has leaned heavily on the Spaniard, but elite squads evolve, and someone of Guimaraes’ authority or Tonali’s pedigree would reshape the hierarchy overnight.

For now, Arsenal are still in the talking phase, testing the water around some of the most coveted midfielders in Europe. The real story begins when they decide which door to kick down – and how hard they are willing to hit it.