That Bruno bid was never going to fly
Newcastle dismissed Arsenal's opening bid for Bruno Guimaraes as an insult, setting up what one insider called a saga the club were desperate to avoid this summer (1) (4). Newcastle want £80m for the 28-year-old midfielder, but your club are weighing up whether to go that high given his age and contract (8). Mick Brown told Football Insider the situation has turned messy: "It's turned into a bit of a saga, which obviously Newcastle were keen to avoid this summer after all that happened with Alexander Isak" (4). Arsenal are intensifying the pursuit regardless.
Declan Rice playing through nerve pain at the World Cup
This is worrying. Declan Rice is carrying neural pain in his lower back and hamstring but will start for England against Mexico on Sunday (7). Thomas Tuchel admitted he asked Rice late and got a straight answer: "I asked him really late and he said: 'I can do it for the team, but I'm in terrible pain'" (7). England beat DR Congo 2–1 earlier in the group stage. Every minute Rice plays now is a risk your club will feel when the season starts.
Kepa wants out
Kepa Arrizabalaga has told Arsenal he wants to leave this summer (2). The Chelsea loanee wants regular first-team football and is unlikely to get it behind David Raya. His departure would leave a gap at backup goalkeeper.
Get the next Arsenal FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Academy director locked in
Pascal De Maesschalck is your new Academy Director, replacing Per Mertesacker. He joins from Strasbourg on August 1 after previously building the youth setup at Club Brugge (6). Sporting director Andrea Berta was direct: "He brings extensive experience from several major European clubs and has an excellent track record in various youth academies" (6).
Trossard talks with Besiktas
Besiktas are closing in on personal terms with Leandro Trossard (11). The Belgian forward could be on his way out if the Turkish club can agree a fee with Arsenal.
Bouaddi priced at £86m, Vieira may return
Lille want £86m for Ayyoub Bouaddi, the teenage midfielder Arsenal, City, and Bayern are all tracking (3). That is a staggering number for an 18-year-old. Separately, Hamburg are struggling to afford the €20m permanent fee for Fabio Vieira, which could send him back to north London (10).
Arteta on Santi Cazorla's retirement
Santi Cazorla has retired. Mikel Arteta sent an emotional message to his former teammate, who was a fan favourite during his Arsenal years (9).
Fan reactions
The Rice news has fans genuinely concerned, with many questioning why Tuchel is risking a player carrying nerve damage when England have already progressed. The Morgan Rogers £130m story drew a more lighthearted response, supporters appreciated his honest answer that he is not sure he is worth that fee, though some noted he is probably not the answer for the left wing anyway. There is also real frustration around Jeremy Monga choosing Manchester City over Arsenal after long negotiations, with fans seeing it as another top academy talent slipping away. Read more on r/Gunners
