Arsenal are turning their attention to other targets as Real Madrid close in on a new contract for Vinicius Jr. Mikel Arteta wanted the Brazilian winger, but he is likely to stay in Spain.
Guimaraes deal close
The Gunners are close to completing a transfer of their own, with a £75million bid accepted for Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes. The midfielder has reportedly passed his medical and will sign a four-year contract in north London.
Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier, and Piero Hincapie have already joined Arsenal for a combined £68.5m. Riccardo Calafiori has stressed the need for more high-quality signings as he targets further silverware.
The defender told Sky Sports: "Of course we are on that level now, we are on top. We want to win the league again and we want to be even better than last season, if we can, so we need those kind of players, I think."
Vinicius Jr agreement
Reports suggest Real Madrid are close to agreeing an extension for Vini Jr, ending Arteta's hopes of securing the winger. Fabrizio Romano reports that the verbal agreement is nearly finalised, with the 26-year-old giving "the green light" to move forward with a new long-term deal.
Real manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly pushed for Vini to stay, saying he was ready to welcome the winger back. Speaking ahead of Vini's return to pre-season training, Mourinho said: "I'm concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It's not possible. On Monday, Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo will arrive. Little by little, until the boys who played in the World Cup semifinals and final arrive, with the final being only Cucurella."
Ezri Konsa twist
Liverpool are threatening to rival Arsenal for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa due to their defensive crisis. Joe Gomez was injured during pre-season, Jeremy Jacquet has yet to feature, and Virgil van Dijk is still on break after the World Cup.
Arsenal registered interest in Konsa following William Saliba's back injury at the World Cup, but Villa's £60m price tag is thought to be above what they are willing to pay. The 28-year-old has two years left on his deal and could be a strong addition to either club.
Discussing Liverpool's defensive depth, Andoni Iraola said: "With the centre-back, with the right-back situation, in terms of defensive depth, we are, I think, very thin right now so I think it's a solution that we are trying to find, yes."
Declan Rice issue
Guimaraes' imminent arrival could spell trouble for Declan Rice, who may be forced into an unnatural position. Rice has been Arsenal's ever-reliable No. 8, making 158 appearances as the club's main playmaker. However, Guimaraes also operates in the creative slot and could shift the 27-year-old to a deeper No. 6 area.
While this may create an issue, Jay Bothroyd believes they are "up there" with the best midfield pairing in the Premier League. He said: "I do believe with Rice and Guimaraes, of all of those [Rodri and Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali], I would probably say, as athletes as well as football players, they would be the best partnership in terms of fitness, physicality, both boxes. I think tactically, Rodri and Elliot Anderson might be better, but I think definitely for the way Arsenal play, I wouldn't swap that pairing for any of the others."
