Arsenal are set to make a move for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after holding exploratory talks.
The Gunners have explored approaches for either Guimaraes or his club team-mate Sandro Tonali as they look to bolster their midfield.
During discussions aimed at checking the financial conditions of a deal for Guimaraes, it is understood a fee of around £60m was initially intimated with the 28-year-old’s representatives.
Arsenal are now poised to make a fresh offer as they remain in talks over a deal for the Brazil international, but it is understood Newcastle have not yet had an official approach.
Discussions have also taken place with Tonali’s representatives as the Gunners assess numerous options in their desire to add a new central midfielder to their squad this summer.
As things stand, it is understood they only want one leading central midfielder, while Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi are other players being considered.
Newcastle have already turned down a bid of around £80m from Tottenham Hotspur for Tonali and do not want to lose Guimaraes, the team’s captain and talisman.
Guimaraes, who has two years left on his contract, has been focused on his efforts with Brazil at the World Cup, where his side will face Japan in the last 32.
As BBC Sport previously reported, Newcastle are in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m for Tonali as Manchester City also monitor developments.
The Italian international is effectively contracted until 2030 after he signed a new contract during his 10-month betting ban to repay the faith the club showed in him.
The current transfer market might also work in Newcastle’s favour, if a bidding war ensues, given the valuations of midfielders elsewhere.
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign England’s Elliot Anderson for a club record £116m, while West Ham want up to £80m for Mateus Fernandes, 21.
With Guimaraes turning 29 in November and Tonali having turned 26 in May, the age of both players is likely to emerge as a key factor in how much Arsenal would be willing to pay.
But sources have indicated the Gunners have also expressed a firm interest in 22-year-old Scott, who currently has interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
The merits of swoops for Morocco international Bouaddi and West Ham’s Fernandes, who is also a key target for Tottenham, have also been assessed internally.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is renowned for working on numerous deals simultaneously before making a final decision on which one to execute.
The arrival of another central midfielder will lead to the sale of a current player in the same position, with Denmark’s Christian Norgaard, 32, someone the club will listen to offers for.
It could also bring into question Martin Zubimendi’s role as a regular starter in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI next season.
