Arsenal can land Bruno Guimaraes on bargain transfer fee

Arsenal are primed for a busy January on and off the pitch. Competing on three fronts in the month, there is also the small matter of the winter transfer window.

With attentions firstly on the small matter of hosting Manchester City at the unsociable hour of 12:30PM on midday, what is to come after that is sure to be heavy with speculation.

The situation regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to drift by without conclusion, while Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun could also depart next month, albeit under different circumstances.

And when the news broke that a deal to send Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma on an initial loan move was progressing nicely, suddenly the midfield took over the conversation. If and when he goes Mikel Arteta will have only two senior options to choose from over January: Sambi Lokonga and Xhaka.

Arsenal can land Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon on bargain transfer fee of £38m – really, that is a bargain for a player of his quality

Not exactly spoilt for choice.

It turns attentions to the market where Arsenal must be looking to reinforce given their willingness to sanction Maitland-Niles’ departure. There are internal solutions, but none with the experience needed to aid the cause.

One of the players linked with a move to Arsenal back in the summer, when it looked like Xhaka might be on the move, was Bruno Guimarães, and the Brazilian has remained a fan favourite ever since.

Boasting exceptional defensive, possession and passing statistics – really, take a look – the Lyon midfielder has a wide ranging skillset all teams would love to have. His progressive ability both in carrying and distributing is magnificent. Bruno has the ability to make risky passes look simple.

He is a statistical dream. On the eyes his ability is just as alluring.

Opting against making their interest concrete in the summer, news of Lyon’s asking price might entice Arsenal to act further on their summer inquiries.

With Roma circling, major Brazilian outlet Globo state that Lyon would be willing to part with the 24-year-old for around £38m. Under contract until 2024 and having only just turned 24 back in November, this is a bargain price. It may not look like it, but it is.

Ligue 1 is severely crippled financially with Lyon no different, and currently languishing in 13th place with just six wins all season, the impending lack of European football will only diminish their finances further. £38m could well be bartered with.

Why more clubs haven’t taken advantage of the state of finances is puzzling. Bruno is one of the best talents in the division, Arsenal have been tracking him for a while and set to be with just two central midfielders for the month of January, now seems no better time.