Bruno Guimarães deal expected to go through
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness believes Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal is happening. "I do expect that deal to go through to Arsenal," Wyness told Football Insider (3). He called it a massive blow for Newcastle: "I feel sorry for Newcastle, who built a great squad, but now they're having to rebuild again, and they've got their last rebuild wrong" (3).
Eddie Howe isn't fighting it either. The Newcastle boss has conceded he is powerless to stop the midfielder leaving, with talks already held (4).
Guimarães was spotted at Vasco's match against Mirassol in São Januário over the weekend. He admitted his heart is still with his boyhood club: "I wanted to fulfill my father's dream of playing for Vasco, my whole family are Vasco fans" (2).
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Arsenal exploring Vinícius Júnior move
This one is real. Both David Ornstein of The Athletic and Sky Sports confirm Arsenal have genuine interest in Vinícius Júnior (7). Multiple outlets are running with it (1) (13).
But José Mourinho is digging in. The newly returned Real Madrid manager has told the board he wants all his big names to stay, Vinícius included (12). Real see Arsenal as the only realistic destination if contract talks collapse (7).
The numbers are eye-watering. One Reddit source puts Vinícius's wage demands at €30m net per year, about €577k per week, while Real have only gone as high as €20m net (Reddit).
Real Madrid pushing hard for Diomande
Yan Diomande has options. Real Madrid have reportedly submitted a €100m bid for the defender, trying to beat Arsenal, Liverpool and PSG to his signature (8). Fabrizio Romano says Diomande is weighing his response, with Arsenal and Manchester City also in the picture (5).
Sagoe Jr scores winner on loan
Charles Sagoe Jr grabbed the decisive goal as Kalmar beat Mjällby (9). The Arsenal loanee is getting games and making them count.
Pre-season kicks off Saturday
Your team face Girona, Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund, Como and Manchester City in pre-season, starting Saturday 1 August (6). World Cup returnees like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Mikel Merino will need managing carefully, the schedule is packed and the season proper is not far off.
Froholdt on the radar
Arsenal are also monitoring FC Porto's Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt (11). One for the longer term.
Fan reactions
Gunners fans on Reddit are torn between excitement and sticker shock over Vinícius. The wage figures being floated, €577k per week, have plenty questioning whether the deal makes sense even if it is possible. There is also a strong undercurrent of frustration at Mourinho standing in the way, with some seeing it as typical Mourinho theatre. The mood around Guimarães is more straightforward: supporters want it done and see Howe's comments as a green light.
