Arsenal ready £70m for Bruno Guimaraes
This is the one that matters. Arsenal are preparing a £70m bid for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, BBC Sport confirms (11). The Brazil international is interested in the move, but Newcastle have not yet received an official offer (4) (11). Eddie Howe expects Guimaraes at pre-season training in La Manga next week (4). Arsenal are unwilling to overpay, even for a marquee target (9).
Tzolis signs, £34m from Club Brugge
Done deal. Christos Tzolis has joined Arsenal from Club Brugge for £34m (€40m), the biggest outgoing transfer in Belgian Pro League history (1) (5). One stat that convinced the club: Tzolis outperformed Kylian Mbappé and Luis Diaz on key attacking metrics last season (1). His reaction: "I think I need some time to let it sink in. It's great to sign for such a big club" (2). He left a farewell gift for the Brugge squad before departing (2).
Odegaard could be sacrificed
This is the uncomfortable part of the Guimaraes chase. Reports suggest Arsenal could consider offers for Martin Odegaard if the Brazilian arrives (12). Your captain. Nothing concrete yet, but the speculation is out there and it won't sit well.
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Hamburg want Vieira, price is the problem
Hamburg are fighting to keep Fabio Vieira permanently after his loan spell. Club executive Eric Huwer: "Fábio is a fantastic player, and it feels like we're fighting for him every day" (10). But they are struggling to meet Arsenal's asking price. A sale here would help fund the Guimaraes move.
Defensive targets: Debast, Stones, Konsa
Three names in the frame. Zeno Debast of Sporting has been offered to Arsenal via intermediaries as cover for William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, both dealing with injuries (14). Friday's gossip round also links Arsenal with John Stones and Ezri Konsa (16). Nothing advanced on either front.
Barcola on the radar after Rogers miss
Arsenal missed out on Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117m (15). Attention has now turned to PSG's Bradley Barcola, but Liverpool believe they lead that race (13).
Quick hit: Gyokeres at Trincao farewell
Viktor Gyokeres attended Francisco Trincao's farewell lunch in Portugal before Trincao's move to Al Ahli. Gyokeres posted: "Grande equipa!" (6). Nothing transfer-related, just a glimpse of old bonds.
Fan reactions
Gunners fans on Reddit are split. The £70m Guimaraes bid has sparked excitement, but Newcastle's expected rejection and the Odegaard exit talk have tempered it (12). The Alvarez-to-Arsenal whisper, with Gyokeres potentially going the other way, has added another layer of speculation no one saw coming. Read the full discussion here.
