Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are looking to bolster their midfield ranks this summer and have expressed an interest in several targets
Arsenal are reportedly most likely to sign Bruno Guimaraes this summer off all their midfield targets, after an approach for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott was rejected.
BBC Sport claims the Cherries have rejected an initial inquiry from the Gunners to sign the 22-year-old, who is attracting the attention of Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea.
Bournemouth say Scott is not for sale and want to agree a contract extension with the England international, who impressed in the top flight last season.
The former Bristol City man has two years remaining on his current contract with the Cherries and played a key role in their qualification for European football.
It's those fine displays that have caught the attention of Mikel Arteta and his side, who are looking to strengthen their midfield after winning the Premier League title.
The Gunners have also explored moves to sign Newcastle United midfielders Sandro Tonali and Guimaraes. However, the report claims they're not likely to match the Magpies' valuation of the Italian international.
A move for Guimaraes is said to be 'more likely' with Roberto De Zerbi and Spurs pushing hard to sign Tonali.
The report claims Arsenal also has an eye on West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, the latter of whom has impressed at the World Cup.
Arsenal are big admirers of Guimaraes, though an offer of £45million, via intermediaries, was swiftly rejected by the Magpies.
Newcastle have insisted that the Brazil international is not for sale and have not had club-to-club discussions as things stand.
Reports in Brazil claim there's a £60m release clause in Guimaraes' current Magpies contract, though the club have denied any such transfer clause.
The midfielder has previously had a £100m exit option, but that expired in June 2024 amid interest from Man City and Arsenal.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe also outlined his stance in on the club captain, after transfer talk surfaced linking the Brazilian with a move to Manchester United.
Howe gave a frosty response and said: "To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else. He is totally committed here."