Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has refused to comment on reports that the Premier League champions have agreed a £75 million ($101 million) deal to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazil midfielder has been at the centre of transfer speculation in recent weeks, with reports suggesting he is interested in leaving Newcastle for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Asked about a possible deal for Guimaraes after Arsenal’s 3-1 friendly defeat against Spanish side Real Betis in Dublin on Wednesday, Arteta declined to provide details.
“I’m not going to talk about any players who aren’t Arsenal players,” the Spaniard said.
He added: “I can tell you at the moment that something happens and we can announce it. I will give you my straight answer.”
Guimaraes, 28, joined Newcastle from French club Lyon in 2022 and has become a key figure at St James’ Park.
The midfielder scored nine goals and provided eight assists across all competitions last season.
Following a break after Brazil’s World Cup campaign, Guimaraes returned to Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Spain as speculation over his future continued.
Former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had previously admitted he was concerned about the possibility of losing the influential midfielder.
Arsenal have been less active in the transfer market compared with rivals including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea ahead of the new season.
However, Arteta previously insisted that the club remained ambitious and focused on improving the squad.
“We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team,” he said.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s preparations for the new campaign suffered a setback after they were defeated 3-1 by Real Betis in a pre-season friendly.
The Gunners conceded two first-half goals through Rodrigo Riquelme and Nelson Deossa before Piero Hincapie pulled one back.
Betis restored their two-goal advantage before halftime through Pablo Fornals.
Arteta made seven changes at the break, introducing several young players, including Louie Copley, who captained Arsenal’s Under-21 side last season at the age of 19.
Copley, deployed at right-back, was forced off after just 10 minutes after landing awkwardly while chasing the ball.
The teenager needed assistance leaving the pitch after struggling to put weight on his leg.
“It doesn’t look good,” Arteta said of Copley’s injury. “So let’s hope that tomorrow the news is better.”
Arsenal will begin their Premier League title defence against Coventry at the Emirates Stadium on August 21.
