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James GoldmanPublished Jun 1, 2024, 10:07am|Updated Jun 1, 2024, 10:10am
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva has denied he was attempting Bruno Guimaraes to leave Newcastle after the pair were pictured together earlier this week.
The Brazil international midfielder’s future is the subject of intense speculation ahead of the summer transfer window with both Arsenal and Manchester City interested in signing the former Lyon star.
Having missed out on European qualification altogether, Newcastle are under even greater pressure to sell one of their prize assets in order to comply with Premier League spending rules.
With Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny destined to depart during the close season, Mikel Arteta will be keen to add at least one new face to his midfield engine room.
Arsenal have coveted Bruno in the past, but were priced out of the race to sign him in the January window two years ago when he became one of the first major signings of the Saudi regime at St James’ Park.
Bruno has since gone on to establish a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most combative and inventive midfield technicians.
The 26-year-old fueled rumours of a potential departure following Newcastle final game of the season at Brenford a fortnight ago when he appeared to wave goodbye to the travelling fans, but Gilberto insists his compatriot is happy in the north east.
He told AFTV:’Bruno is a good player he has done so well at Newcastle. I was with him a couple of weeks ago.
‘But not for this purpose. Just to let people calm down. He’s very happy in England and very happy at Newcastle and the people love him there.
‘He achieved a lot of good things in the club especially the respect of people. It’s not so easy now when you come to a new club, they have an an ambition, new owners spend money and t hey bet on him and support him. This is somebody they wanted to bring.
‘But yes, as you know, the market is open!’
Bruno is far from the only name Arsenal have been linked with so far this summer, but their hopes of persuading Martin Zubimendi to join them from Real Sociedad already appear to be dead in the water.
The Spain international is said to prefer remaining in La Liga with both Real Madrid and Barcelona keeping close tabs on him.
Arsenal also maintain a long-standing interest in Everton’s Amadou Onana who is hoping to use the upcoming European Championships to put him in the shop window.
‘At previous tournaments, you have seen that the players who did well make the step up to the top clubs. That’s something I strive for,’ Onana told Het Laatste Nieuws (via 90min).
‘I feel like presenting myself to the European top and showing what I have to offer. This European Championship is a stage.’
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