Boost for Arsenal as Newcastle consider bid for Nmecha to replace Guimaraes

Boost for Arsenal as Newcastle consider bid for Nmecha to replace Guimaraes Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with football news reports claiming that the Magpies are already lining up a replacement. Newcastle are reportedly showing interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, spicing up what’s already one of the summer’s most interesting transfer sagas. While the Magpies insist that Bruno Guimaraes is not available for sale, their pursuit of another central midfielder could be seen as sensible planning should circumstances change before the transfer window closes. Arsenal are one of the several clubs closely monitoring Guimaraes’ future.  The Brazilian midfielder has been admired by the north London side for some time, and reports suggest the Gunners have already held initial discussions with his representatives to better understand his current situation at St James’ Park. While Arsenal are believed to have made an informal proposal worth around £55 million, there has been no official approach to Newcastle.  The Magpies have also maintained that Guimaraes is not on the market, making it clear through the player’s representatives that they have no intention of selling one of their most influential stars. Despite that stance, Newcastle’s reported interest in Nmecha has inevitably sparked speculation about their long-term plans in midfield. The Dortmund midfielder has continued to bolster his reputation over the past year and has impressed during Germany’s World Cup campaign.  After scoring against Curacao, he also provided an assist in Germany’s dramatic late victory over Ivory Coast, showing his ability to influence matches. Those performances have only increased interest in the midfielder, who has developed into one of Dortmund’s key players. Newcastle’s interest in Nmecha could be a case of preparing for every possible scenario.  Alongside Guimaraes, fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali has also attracted transfer interest, meaning the club could be looking at potential replacements well before any decisions are made on outgoing players. Tonali is attracting interest from Premier League duo Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, although the north Londoners are believed to be leading the race. Newcastle have already slapped a staggering £100m asking price for Tonali, but neither Spurs nor United have been put off by their exorbitant demands. The Magpies could formalise their interest in Nmecha if they lose one of Guimaraes or Tonali this summer. But any deal for the German midfielder would be far from straightforward. Nmecha recently signed a contract extension with Dortmund that runs until 2030 and includes a reported £73.5m release clause.  That valuation could be a major obstacle for Newcastle, who are severely restricted by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Reports suggest Newcastle would prefer to negotiate a lower fee, although convincing Dortmund to reduce their demands could be difficult.  Nmecha is an important player for Dortmund, and his improved contract puts the Bundesliga runners-up in a strong negotiating position. The 25-year-old made 42 appearances across all competitions for Dortmund last season, helping them finish second with five goals and three assists. He won 53% of his ground duels and 63% of his aerial battles, while averaging 1.3 tackles, 3.8 ball recoveries, and one clearance per 90 minutes. Whether Newcastle can pull off a move for Nmecha remains to be seen, but identifying him as a target could give Arsenal the notion that they have a chance of luring Guimaraes away from St. James’ Park. The Brazilian would be a phenomenal addition for the Gunners, who are looking to consolidate their spot at the top of the Premier League table . They’ll head into the coming season as favourites to win the title, and bringing in a player of Guimaraes’ quality would be a massive boost.