Arsenal set to splash £40m on Bruno Guimaraes to bring high-rated midfielder to Emirates

Mikel Arteta is in the January transfer market to sign a versatile midfielder and a sharp striker to bolster his squad, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Vlahovic and Guimaraes.

Wright on why Arsenal should sign Vlahovic

Ian Wright thinks that Dusan Vlahovic is the ideal striker signing for Arsenal.

“They’ve done fantastic business up until this point,” Wright said on the Kelly & Wrighty Show, via the Express.

“I believe they do need to get another striker, even if everything can be sorted with Aubameyang.

“I’m hearing Vlahovic from Fiorentina. We need that player who can be between Lacazette and Aubameyang.

“I don’t know what’s happening with Laca, I’d love him to stay, I don’t know what’s happening with him, and we don’t know what’s happening with Aubameyang.

“But if we can get that striker, hard-running striker, good link-up play, good finisher, which Vlahovic is, then you’re starting to think it’s starting to happen now for Arsenal.”

Arsenal are set to sign Vlahovic and Guimaraes this January transfer window.

The Evening Standard reported on Wednesday that Everton and Newcastle United had joined Arsenal in tracking Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who is attracting interest from around Europe.

Arsenal have been following Guimaraes for years and remain admirers, but no club have placed an offer just yet, and Lyon are reluctant to approve a summer move despite their financial difficulties.

The Standard claim the midfielder could cost as much as £40m.

Guimaraes himself confirmed in August that Arsenal had approached his agent, but never made an offer. He added, “I have never hidden my desire to play in the Premier League”.

The midfielder is highly rated with his current club, and he provides them with a good mix of defensive solidity and progressive forward passing.

It’s perhaps also notable that he ranks highly on statistics for pressing, considering the kinds of players Mikel Arteta seems to favour. But we may have to wait a bit longer for a potential transfer.