Arsenal have made direct contact with Newcastle over a potential transfer for Bruno Guimarães, according to Sky Sports and Goal.com, after the Brazilian midfielder informed the Tyneside club's hierarchy that he wants to join the Premier League champions this summer. Arsenal are prepared to offer around £60 million, but Newcastle are said to value their captain at upwards of £80 million and are frustrated by the approach, with no indication they are willing to sell.
Guimarães is reported to want the situation resolved within a week, but Newcastle sources insist he is expected to report for pre-season as scheduled on July 31 regardless. The pursuit follows Arsenal's failure to land Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea instead in a club-record £117 million deal after Arsenal balked at Aston Villa's asking price.