Arsenal in three-way race for Bruno Guimaraes?

Arsenal is in need of a new midfield partner for Declan Rice, with Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes being named as a candidate, but the Gunners face stiff competition for his services.

One of Arsenal's main priorities this summer will be to strengthen the midfield. With Thomas Partey rumored to be on the way out and Mohamed Elneny already gone, there is a need for more bodies in the engine room.

But who could the Gunners target?

One name that has come up repeatedly is Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, a player who the Gunners were interested in before he made the switch to the Magpies. With Manchester City also reportedly interested, GOAL.com has now added a third team Arsenal must battle if it wants to secure Guimaraes' services - PSG.

"According to Le10sport, PSG are already considering parting ways with the defensive midfielder after just one season," GOAL.com writes. "Sporting director Luis Campos has included two high-profile names in the club's shortlist of midfielders who could replace the 23-year-old. The list includes players like Bayern Munich's star Joshua Kimmich and Newcastle's Guimaraes. The Magpies star has been a subject of intense speculation recently, with several elite clubs including Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City vying for his signature."

While it is unknown if Arsenal wants to make it back-to-back summers in which it spends £100m on a midfielder, and with reports that City are reluctant to pay such a fee, perhaps this three-way battle might not be that at all.

Yes, a player of Bruno's caliber would be welcomed in north London, the price tag could put Edu and Mikel Arteta off making such a committment.

With Guimaraes' release clause only valid until June, so any potential buyers could save some money by getting as deal done early - although it's unlikely Arsenal will be that club despite Arteta stating he wants his business wrapped up quickly.

Guimaraes does present an interesting option for the Gunners and would complement Rice and the squad well, but if it becomes a bidding war with City and PSG, then Arsenal will likely look for alternatives, if it hasn't already.