Arsenal's pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has not yet come to an end, despite the Magpies' determination to keep their key player.
The Gunners are reportedly still working on a possible deal through intermediaries and are expected to return with a package worth around £60m, as they look to add another top-level midfielder to their squad.
Newcastle have already rejected Arsenal's initial approach and are insisting that the 28-year-old Brazilian is not for sale during the current transfer window, due in part to the impact of recent departures, including the loss of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham.
Guimaraes would bring valuable Premier League experience, aggression, leadership, and technical quality to the Emirates, making him a strong fit for Arsenal's midfield structure, and Mikel Arteta is still keen to add him to his squad to support Declan Rice.
The club's interest in Guimaraes is not new, and they have admired him for years, even before his move to Newcastle.
However, Newcastle's position is understandable, and selling Guimaraes would make it three huge departures in one summer, which would be extremely difficult for supporters to accept and would leave Eddie Howe with a major rebuild.
Arsenal are right to keep testing Newcastle's resolve, as Guimaraes is exactly the kind of midfielder who could lift their side immediately, especially in big Premier League and Champions League matches.
But £60m may not be enough, and Newcastle know his value, having received huge money for Gordon and Tonali, and they are not under the same pressure to accept a low offer.
Arsenal should stay in the race, but they must be smart, and if Guimaraes is genuinely open to the move, that could change the conversation. If Newcastle remain firm, Arsenal need alternatives ready rather than spending the whole summer chasing a deal that may never happen.
