Arsenal line up unexpected Bruno Guimaraes transfer alternative

Arsenal are not having the best of times in the January transfer market with key targets slipping through their grasp as Mikel Arteta seeks to bolster his squad.

Striker is high on the agenda with the shortlist of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alexander Isak and Jonathan David being drawn up after Dusan Vlahovic opted to join Juventus, while midfield remains an important area.

One player who won’t be joining this window with Arthur, who looks set to stay at Juventus barring any late twists after the Arsenal hierarchy rightly turned down Juventus’ proposal of an 18-month loan deal. The Gunners only wanted him for six-months, so they’re moving on.

Bruno Guimaraes, another target for Arsenal, looks set to join Newcastle in a shock move this January, primarily due to his outstanding ability and the interest from clubs across the continent. The Evening Standard claims Arteta’s side aren’t entirely out of the running, but it seems he’s not their priority.

Arsenal line up Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz as vital Bruno Guimaraes transfer alternative in January window

In any case, an alternative is vital.

Still hoping to bolster the midfield, the same report links the Gunners with a move for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz. A player who Arteta has been a fan of since they both worked together at Manchester City, the Brazilian has a deal running until 2023 and is stalling over the signing of an extension.

That has attracted Premier League interest, with one unnamed club having already seen a £30m bid rejected by Villa this window for his services.

Steven Gerrard’s side, who are working on a deal to bring Juventus midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, have plenty of options for their midfield trio should the Uruguayan be brought in and it could open the door for a sale, although the asking price isn’t known.

A destroyer-type sitting midfielder who is tenacious, combative and energetic, Luiz has earned admirers since moving to the Midlands and with his deal expiring in less than 18 months this might be an opportune moment to pounce.

Arsenal are watching him and the possibility of a move is on the cards, as reported by a various sources now.

Verdict: Ignoring the statistical side of Luiz’s game which isn’t awe-inspiring, while it’s easy to see why he would be courted, there isn’t anything that truly stands out about him. Nothing that makes you want to pull your (Arsenal’s) chequebook out. Especially not one over the £30m mark.

If Luiz does have something particularly alluring about him it’s tough to nail down exactly what that is. He isn’t going to elevate this team.

Just a few miles south of Arsenal on the coast is another energetic midfielder who happens to be out of contract at the same time: Yves Bissouma. While he’s a touch older, if this profile of No. 6 is what the club is after then the player who is superior in every department, as well as being an Arsenal fan, makes a far more valid case to be chased after.