Arsenal take huge step forward in pursuit of Bruno Guimarães

Arsenal have taken a huge step forward in their pursuit of Bruno Guimarães as they have now opened direct talks with Newcastle, according to multiple reports.

The Gunners are now said to be in contact with the Magpies after previously working on a potential deal through intermediaries, a positive sign in any possible move.

Newcastle are remaining adamant that the Brazil international is not for sale, but Mikel Arteta's side are determined to sign a high-quality midfielder this summer with Guimarães apparently at the top of their list.

Arsenal open direct talks for Bruno Guimarães

Arsenal's decision to open talks for Guimarães comes just days after they were dealt a huge blow in their attempts to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa as Chelsea swooped into hijack the deal and agree a record fee of £117million for his services.

Opting to move forward in their pursuit of the Newcastle captain should demonstrate to fans that the Gunners are not going to sit and twiddle their thumbs while watching several rivals conduct business in the transfer market. While Guimarães isn't of a similar profile or an alternative to Rogers, the attempts to sign him show that the club are willing to go after big names even after rejection.

David Ornstein reported earlier this month that the Brazil international had informed the Magpies of his desire to leave the club and join Arsenal, but Newcastle have remained consistent in their stance that he won't be allowed to leave this summer, having already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively.

Luke Edwards, Northern Football Writer for The Telegraph, has claimed sources at the Tyneside club are 'mystified' by the reports the Gunners have opened talks for Guimarães and that they have not heard from any club over a potential deal in more than a week.

However, Ben Jacobs has reported that Arsenal are accelerating their interest and are expected to go north of £70million with an offer after seeing their last bid that totalled to as high as £65m rejected through intermediaries.

While Newcastle are still adamant their captain is not for sale, Guimarães' desire to leave and move to the red half of North London could end up testing their stance and that is something the Gunners could capitalise on.

The positive signs for Arteta's side is that direct talks with the club are now being opened. Having previously done all work through intermediaries, Arsenal are now showing a clear desire to strike a deal for Guimarães by approaching Newcastle themselves.

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