£100m star agrees five-year deal to join Arsenal this summer, he’s perfect for Guimaraes…

£100m star has agreed to a five-year contract to join Arsenal this summer, and he is an ideal fit for Guimaraes – opinion

Arsenal entered this summer with two primary objectives: to enhance their wide positions and to strengthen their midfield.

In the form of Bruno Guimaraes, they may be getting closer to achieving that second goal. On Wednesday night, it was reported that the Newcastle United captain expressed his desire to leave and join the Gunners.

Andrea Berta and his team have already initiated discussions through intermediaries regarding a transfer, and progress could be swift now that Guimaraes has made his intentions known.

But why is he a target? Arsenal’s midfield is in need of a revamp.

Reasons behind Arsenal’s ambition to secure a new midfielder

Last season, Declan Rice referred to his partnership with Martin Zubimendi as “outstanding.”

“He is the Spain number six, and we know the quality of Spanish number sixes. They excel in first-phase build-up, turning on the ball, and advancing play into pockets, which is precisely what we have with him,” Rice remarked.

Indeed, during the initial months of the Spaniard’s tenure in north London, he appeared completely comfortable, unfazed by the physicality of the Premier League. At £55m, he was a steal from Real Sociedad.

However, by the end of the season, Zubimendi’s role in the team was under scrutiny. Myles Lewis-Skelly had surpassed him in the midfield hierarchy. He found himself on the bench and did not start in the Champions League final.

It’s not that Mikel Arteta undervalues him. There could be a straightforward explanation: he was utterly exhausted. Only his midfield partner Rice logged more minutes compared to Arsenal’s outfield players in the 2025/26 season.

Thus, this highlights the need for a new midfielder. Zubimendi requires more competition and should be rotated more frequently next season.

Another reason is the lack of depth. Mikel Merino is set to return from injury, but it is evident that Arteta lacks confidence in Christian Norgaard. He appeared to be an excellent temporary signing a year ago, but that is all he has proven to be.

Despite the respect and admiration he garners from his teammates for his leadership, the Dane is not the player who will secure a Champions League title. A player like Guimaraes, on the other hand, could make a significant difference.

This is why a midfield reshuffle is underway at the Emirates this summer.

How Arsenal can enhance their midfield further

While Guimaraes’ transfer to the Gunners is not guaranteed, reports suggest that progress is being made behind the scenes regarding a potential deal. It is said that personal terms have been agreed upon, and a £72m bid is being prepared to entice Newcastle into selling.

However, the prevailing sentiment is that Newcastle will demand a higher fee, especially after losing Sandro Tonali to Spurs for £100m.

Regardless, Arsenal will need to pay a premium, and the same applies to Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. He is Arsenal’s primary target this summer, but his price tag could range from £100m to £130m, according to Caught Offside.

They have provided updates on the club’s pursuit of the 23-year-old this week, indicating that a preliminary agreement has been reached with Rogers for a five-year contract.

With that aspect settled, the only remaining hurdle is to negotiate a fee with Villa. This will be quite challenging given their unwillingness to sell.

There is a belief that Arsenal intends to sign Rogers to play on the left flank. With Leandro Trossard heading to Besiktas, acquiring a winger has become essential, and Rogers would be an excellent choice. He has netted 14 goals in consecutive seasons and provided 12 assists in the 2025/26 season as well.

However, as has been clear at Villa Park, the England international thrives when positioned as an attacking midfielder. Consequently, if they manage to acquire both Guimaraes and Rogers, Arteta would be assembling one of the finest midfield trios in the Premier League. With Rice on board, this truly seems like an ideal combination.

But what makes them such a perfect fit for each other?

In comparison to Zubimendi, Guimaraes exhibits a more dynamic passing style. Last season, the Brazilian averaged 0.29 through balls per 90 minutes, while Zubimendi managed only 0.06. Additionally, Guimaraes recorded 4.77 progressive passes compared to Zubimendi’s 2.22.

The reality is that Bruno ranks among the top passers in the Premier League. He excels at threading the ball through the lines and into attacking players. This is precisely why he would relish the opportunity to play alongside Rogers, who is exceptional at receiving passes in the spaces between the lines, subsequently driving the ball forward to create shots or assists.

By acquiring both players, Arsenal would instantly become a more formidable opponent against the lower defensive blocks they frequently encounter.

Guimaraes brings progressive passing, while Rogers contributes with his pace and intelligent movement. Although Arsenal may prefer the England international to operate from the left, they would gain significant advantages by utilizing him in a more central role as well.