Arsenal’s summer transfer window has shifted into a higher gear, with several significant moves either completed or in advanced stages of negotiation.
The Gunners have already secured the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £34.5 million plus add-ons following a successful loan spell.
Christos Tzolis has also arrived from Club Brugge in a £34 million deal, while goalkeeper Illan Meslier has joined on a free transfer from Leeds United.
However, Arsenal are now believed to be targeting far more high-profile additions as the new Premier League season draws closer.
Vinicius Jr has long been on Mikel Arteta’s radar, and The Telegraph now report that Arsenal are ready to make a significant financial commitment to bring the Brazilian to north London.
The club are reportedly willing to offer a club-record salary of £401,500 per week, which would make Vinicius Jr the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium.
Whether Arsenal can meet Real Madrid’s £137 million asking price for the 26-year-old remains the key obstacle standing between them and the deal.
The BBC have reported that Arteta has become so smitten with the idea of signing Vinicius Jr that he views the Brazilian winger as his number one target this summer.
Complicating matters slightly, Real Madrid have reopened contract talks with Vinicius Jr ahead of pre-season training, though Arsenal remain ready to pounce should those negotiations break down.
Arsenal are also pursuing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, though Eddie Howe has made clear he is not part of any conversations surrounding his midfielder’s future.
Speaking publicly on the matter, Howe said: “Bruno, normally, is just a fantastic person. We’ve had some really good conversations, both before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the World Cup.”
Howe added: “He’s just a great player and a great person. Look, I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future. That’s for other people to, one, speculate about, but also conversations that I’m not part of.”
The Newcastle head coach also acknowledged the painful nature of the club’s recent player losses, stating: “We don’t want to lose our best players. Losing those big two [Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali] is painful for us and difficult.”
Guimaraes has recorded 31 goals and 32 assists in 195 appearances for Newcastle United since joining from Lyon in 2022, making him one of the most complete midfielders in the Premier League.
On the domestic betting markets, bet365 have installed Arsenal as 6/4 favourites to defend their Premier League title, with Steve Freeth of bet365 noting: “Our customers clearly believe that, much like London buses, you wait ages for one only for a second to follow.”
