Arsenal Transfer update: Bruno Guimaraes could be the perfect addition for Mikel Arteta! Potential ins and outs for Arsenal in the summer transfer window of 2024…

Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as the top choice for Mikel Arteta’s ideal signing in Arsenal’s 2024 summer transfer window. Despite not winning any trophies, the 2023-24 season showcased progress for the Gunners.

They improved their Premier League points tally for the fourth consecutive season and narrowly missed out on the top spot to Manchester City’s dominant team led by Pep Guardiola.

Problematic positions

The centre-forward position has long been a concern for Arsenal fans, who have been eager for the club to strengthen in that area.

However, the demand for reinforcements decreased in the latter half of the season due to Havertz’s impressive performance up front and Arsenal’s regained ability to score goals. Despite finishing as the second-highest scorers in the Premier League once again, it is expected that Arteta will still prioritize signing a striker this summer.

However, the position that is perhaps in greatest need of improvement is midfield. When Thomas Partey finally became available in the final months of the campaign, he made a strong impact and his presence allowed Rice to have a greater influence in more advanced positions.

Nevertheless, Partey’s recurring fitness issues make his future uncertain heading into the summer. If Arteta intends to continue utilizing Rice as a No.8, another defensive midfielder will be required.

Additionally, Arsenal made a comeback to the Champions League knockout stages after a seven-year absence, although they were eventually eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Looking ahead, Mikel Arteta expressed his ambition for further improvement in the upcoming campaign, emphasizing that the club will not settle for less. He confidently stated, “We won’t be satisfied. We have higher aspirations, and we will achieve them.”

To reach the desired level, the squad requires some fine-tuning during the summer transfer window. Co-chairman Josh Kroenke has hinted at additional investments in the playing staff now that the season has concluded.

Rest assured that everyone at the club is committed to progress. Regardless of the outcome today, our team is dedicated to moving forward continuously. 

Arteta is expected to receive a substantial budget to work with. Arsenal not only has Champions League revenue to utilize for the first time in a long time, but also possesses valuable assets that can be sold to increase funds.

The club may even surpass the £200m+ ($254m) spent last summer on players like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber.

The Gunners could benefit from bolstering their defensive depth. In the event of an injury to either William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes next season, their replacement would currently be a significant step down in quality.

Additionally, the left-back position has posed challenges at times this season, and the goalkeeping situation is intricate. Depending on how certain scenarios unfold, these areas may require some reinforcement.

In terms of transfer rumors, Ivan Toney was considered as an option in January. However, due to his poor form and the financial aspects of a potential deal, this move now appears unlikely. Another player linked with Arsenal is Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

His impressive tally of 43 goals this season has attracted interest from several top clubs across Europe. Benjamin Sesko, a familiar name in the transfer rumor mill, has also been mentioned recently. The 20-year-old RB Leipzig center-forward found the back of the net 18 times this season. Victor Osimhen and Alexander Isak have also been mentioned as potential signings for Arsenal at different times.

Arsenal’s defense has faced a setback with the news of Jorrel Hato, the talented Ajax wonderkid, signing a new contract. This development has surely left the Gunners frustrated, especially considering that the agreement does not include a release clause.

Consequently, acquiring Hato will now come at a significant cost. However, there is still hope as Ousmane Diomande, a promising young center-back from Sporting CP, could be a viable alternative option for Arsenal.

In terms of midfield reinforcements, Martin Zubimendi has emerged as the club’s primary target. The talented player has impressed during his time at Real Sociedad over the past couple of seasons, making him an attractive prospect for the Gunners.

Additionally, Arsenal has long been admirers of Douglas Luiz, but the Brazilian’s potential move to Aston Villa’s Champions League campaign could complicate any potential deal.

Another player who has caught Arsenal’s attention is Amadou Onana, a highly-rated talent who Everton is looking to sell this summer.

While concrete names for the goalkeeper and left-back positions have been scarce, it does not mean that Arsenal won’t be actively seeking reinforcements in these areas.

The club remains committed to strengthening its squad and will continue to explore options to bolster their defense.

Arsenal possible signing

The Toffees are not the sole Premier League team in need of a significant sale this summer. Newcastle also requires selling in order to make purchases, and it is anticipated that at least one prominent player will be transferred.

In light of this, Arsenal has reportedly reached out to Bruno Guimaraes’ representatives regarding a potential summer transfer.

It is evident why Arteta is so captivated by the Brazilian. Guimaraes is among the most influential midfield creators in the world, with only eight players in Europe’s top five leagues registering more progressive passes than him this season.

Additionally, he excels at carrying the ball from deep positions and is highly underrated in terms of his defensive contributions, consistently engaging in tackles and interceptions since his arrival in England in January 2022.

He could potentially occupy the same position where Rice concluded the season, allowing the England international to return as a lone pivot, or even assume the deepest role himself.

Regardless, this infusion of ball progression would perfectly complement the primary creator, Martin Odegaard, while likely enhancing the overall balance of the midfield.

Compared to some of the other midfielders Arsenal has been speculatively linked with, signing Guimaraes would be a far safer bet because he has demonstrated that he can handle the physicality of the Premier League.

This is an even better fit given that he has experience playing in the Champions League and has hardly missed a game in the last few seasons.

Newcastle United Manager Eddie Howe has stated that it will cost £100 million ($127 million) to get Newcastle’s best player to leave, but Arsenal may be able to negotiate a little bit off this exorbitant asking price given that transfer funds are needed at St. James’ Park.

Exiting players

Moving on out Mohamed Elneny has already announced that he is leaving on a free transfer, and it is expected that young goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who made an impression while on loan at Wrexham, and Cedric Soares will follow suit.

A number of loan players are back, and their futures are also seriously jeopardized. After a difficult stint with Nottingham Forest, it’s hard to see Nuno Tavares staying, even though Albert Sambi Lokonga performed better at Luton Town.

It is another matter entirely whether the midfield player is considered good enough to be included in the Emirates first team squad.

After a strong stint with Real Sociedad, Kieran Tierney has made it clear about his desire to leave permanently, and Charlie Patino’s development at Swansea City faltered in the latter part of the season. The midfield player’s contract expires in 2025, and it’s rumored that multiple Italian clubs are keeping an eye on him.

Arsenal academy trio players Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe, and Eddie Nketiah are reaching an age where they may no longer be content with sitting on the bench and could be considering a change of scenery. Furthermore, Partey, as mentioned earlier, might also be on the verge of joining them in departing the club.

The current loan spell of twenty-year-old forward Marquinhos at Fluminense gives the Brazilian side the option to make the move permanent. Similarly, defender Omar Rekik is also on loan at Servette but due to a significant paperwork error, he has been unable to play for the Swiss team thus far.

Another player, Aaron Ramsdale, is expected to leave as well. Reports suggest that Newcastle and Chelsea are interested in him, as he has been serving as a deputy for David Raya. However, Raya’s permanent transfer from Brentford is yet to be fully confirmed.

When it comes to Arsenal’s lineup for the 2024-25 season, it is unlikely that Arteta’s preferred starting XI will differ significantly from this season. The focus this summer will be on adding a few quality players to complement the existing squad, rather than undergoing a complete overhaul.

It seems improbable that Arsenal will splurge on a top-tier striker, favoring a younger option like Sesko instead. This suggests that Havertz will likely remain the main forward.

A new midfielder is expected to join the team, with Timber’s return from injury also anticipated to bolster the defense and prompt changes in the lineup.

Arsenal’s projected lineup for 2024-25 (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Odegaard, Guimaraes; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.