Arsenal are intensifying their summer transfer activity, with a central midfielder now a priority after their initial £55m bid for Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes was rejected. The Gunners are expected to submit an improved offer, but have also identified Bournemouth's Alex Scott as a £60m alternative.
Arsenal's £55m Bid for Guimaraes Rejected
Arsenal made a verbal offer of £55m for the 28-year-old Brazil international, but Newcastle immediately turned it down, insisting he is not for sale. According to Brazilian outlet Globo, sporting director Andrea Berta has indicated he will return with a second bid. Berta previously tried to sign Guimaraes during his time at Atletico Madrid in 2020, before the midfielder joined Lyon.
The Gunners have also been linked with Newcastle's Sandro Tonali, whose agent offered him to Berta in January, but interest in the Italian has cooled in favour of Guimaraes.
Alex Scott: A £60m Alternative
Bournemouth have placed a £60m price tag on 22-year-old Alex Scott, making him a more cost-effective option than Guimaraes. Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has endorsed the move, comparing Scott favourably to other midfielders.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent said: "Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m - I'm taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There's no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he's just not."
Bent added: "If he comes to Arsenal, I'm just not sure where he plays because you've got Martin Zubimendi who is the holder, or Myles Lewis-Skelly, then you have Declan Rice as the No.8. You know what though, I'd take him at Arsenal because he'll get so many minutes. He's a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in."
Arsenal's Summer Spending Plans
Manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly set to receive another £250m to spend as Arsenal defend their Premier League title. The club has already signed Piero Hincapie permanently for £34.5m after his season-long loan, and are targeting a defender, central midfielder, and winger.
Other players linked include Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Leicester's Jeremy Monga, and Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis, though no deals have been confirmed.
