Arsenal handed huge Bruno Guimaraes transfer boost as Newcastle United eye double deal

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Arsenal could find themselves edging closer to landing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes , as the Magpies bolster their midfield with the acquisition of Sean Steur. It emerged on Tuesday morning that Newcastle have struck a deal with Ajax worth £23million plus £3m in add-ons for the 18-year-old prodigy, who is expected to travel to Tyneside for a medical in the coming days.

Although the deal is yet to be rubber-stamped, the paperwork appears to be little more than a formality, with Steur set to feature at St James' Park for the upcoming campaign.

While many may view the Dutchman as a direct replacement for departing Sandro Tonali , who has completed a £100m switch to Tottenham Hotspur , the Magpies appear to have their sights set on a further midfield addition in the form of Johan Manzambi.

The Athletic report that Newcastle will open negotiations with Freiburg for the Swiss midfielder in the coming days, off the back of an impressive World Cup display for his country.

This could ultimately suggest that Newcastle are lining up a replacement for Guimaraes, should Arsenal manage to turn the North East club's heads. Eddie Howe's side remain firmly insistent that their skipper is not for sale, despite considerable interest from the Gunners.

However, with Guimaraes now returning to Tyneside following Brazil's 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16, talks could gather pace should the 28-year-old seek a fresh challenge.

Although the midfielder is regarded as invaluable to United given his central role within the side, it is believed that an offer in the region of £65m could be given serious consideration in the coming weeks.

Arsenal are understood to have opened talks with Newcastle earlier in the window with a verbal proposal of £45m, which was promptly rejected.

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Meanwhile, Football Insider reports that Newcastle are willing to enter contract extension discussions with Guimaraes this summer in the wake of Arsenal's interest.

The box-to-box dynamo contributed nine goals and six assists for the Magpies in the Premier League alone last season and remains under contract until 2028.

He has also caught the eye on the international stage with his country in North America over the past fortnight, registering four assists for Brazil across five matches before they were knocked out of the tournament.

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