Bruno Guimarães on his way to Arsenal? Then one of Mikel Arteta’s key players could be on his way out.
The Gunners are chasing Guimarães, and the Brazilian himself is said to be very ready to move to the Emirates. According to sources, he is said to be “frustrated” at Newcastle United – who do not want to sell their captain, especially after they just sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham for £100 million.
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But Guimarães’ stated desire to join Arteta’s champions team could be decisive for Arsenal. Since his transfer from Lyon in January 2022, he has been among the Premier League’s very best midfielders.
Martin Ødegaard may be sacrificed
A new superstar in the middle will give Arteta a luxury problem – and according to TEAMtalk, which has long claimed that Martin Ødegaard is on his way out, because he is not good enough, writes that: “it could lead to one big profile having to give way. The source claims Arsenal hope to reach a deal for around £75m – and that they could then be open to bids for Martin Ødegaard, if the price is right.
Ødegaard lifted the Premier League trophy last season and has been a mainstay at Arsenal since joining permanently from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 – after a successful loan spell the year before.
But the 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, and although he delivered the goods when he was injury-free last season, he ended up several games on the bench throughout the spring. – This summer, for Norway, he has definitely delivered in the World Cup, which should dampen the English “experts” (By the way, the same ones who think Thomas Tuchel is brilliant)
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“Exit cannot be ruled out”
According to the report, it is not likely that Ødegaard will disappear as early as this summer – but a transfer can definitely not be written off. Should he stay, he faces a crucial season, and sources suggest that a move next year is starting to appear “increasingly relevant”.
There is said to be “serious interest” in the Norwegian, but no one has so far wanted to meet Arsenal’s price tag. With two years left on his contract, the club is in a good negotiating position – and must start thinking long-term about his future.
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Ødegaard has been a hero for Arsenal for much of his time at the club. But he no longer pulls the strings as he did before. Repeated physical problems have become a concern, and he is no longer the undisputed first candidate in the starting eleven.
Should Guimarães come in, the chance increases that Ødegaard will leave – if not this summer, then next year. Even in periods of good form, the Norwegian has been criticized for weak performances and uncertainty about his leadership skills.
Arteta doesn’t really need to sell Ødegaard to realise that he has a natural captain in Declan Rice – who recently referred to Ødegaard as “one of the league’s very best”. But the transfer could still be the straw that breaks the camel’s back – and give Rice the chance to take over the captain’s armband for good, while Arsenal move on without the playmaker.
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