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Manchester United may once again miss out on a key transfer target to a Premier League rival, with Arsenal reportedly moving ahead in the pursuit of Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes. According to journalist David Ornstein, while the Red Devils have reached an agreement for another Brazilian midfielder, they risk losing the Magpies’ talisman to the Gunners.

United have already finalised a £39 million deal with Atalanta for Ederson, and INEOS had been aiming to add either Elliot Anderson or Mateus Fernandes to strengthen Michael Carrick’s midfield options. However, both players proved too costly, with Manchester City agreeing a record £116 million fee for Anderson and Tottenham Hotspur paying £85 million for Fernandes.

Following Casemiro’s departure to Inter Miami on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte’s serious knee injury suffered while representing Uruguay at the World Cup, United remain in need of two additional midfielders alongside Ederson.

This has prompted the club to revive their interest in Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, another Brazilian international. Ornstein revealed earlier that Chelsea have accepted a £50 million offer for the 22-year-old, who is expected to travel to Manchester shortly to undergo his medical at Old Trafford.

Santos is known for his adaptability, capable of playing both as a No.6 and a No.8. Many in Brazil consider him the natural heir to Casemiro’s role for the national team. His playing style mirrors that of Ederson, which raises questions about whether Ugarte’s injury has caused United to shift their transfer priorities for the upcoming season.

United’s leadership still believe they need a marquee midfielder to fill the void left by Casemiro. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni remains a “dream target,” though signing the 26-year-old Frenchman would be both challenging and expensive.

This situation has brought Bruno Guimaraes into focus. The 28-year-old Newcastle captain is regarded as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders, capable of dictating play from deep or pushing forward to unlock defences. His combination of skill, physicality, and leadership has made him a symbol of Tyneside football.

Despite his strong bond with the Newcastle supporters, Guimaraes is reportedly ready to depart St James’ Park this summer after a disappointing season that saw the Magpies finish 12th in the Premier League and bow out early from cup competitions, including an 8-3 loss to FC Barcelona in the Champions League.

Following the departure of Alexander Isak last year and the recent sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle face uncertainty over other key players such as Lewis Hall—also a target for Manchester United—and Tino Livramento, who is admired by both Arsenal and Manchester City.

As he nears his 29th birthday, Guimaraes is eager to continue playing at the highest level of European football and to compete for major trophies—an ambition that looks increasingly difficult to fulfil at Newcastle.

The midfielder’s representatives are believed to have contacted several top clubs, including Manchester United, to express his intent to move. Few players on the market possess the skillset to replace Casemiro effectively, but Guimaraes stands out as one of them.

Arsenal, however, are currently seen as favourites in the race, having made a £55 million bid last month that was rejected. Ornstein reports that the Gunners are now “ready to offer” a revised proposal worth up to £60 million.

Importantly, Guimaraes has given his approval to Arsenal, expressing his desire to join the Premier League champions and move to the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle remain firm in their stance that he is not for sale, and no club-to-club negotiations have yet begun. Nevertheless, the momentum appears to be shifting towards North London.

Should Guimaraes seek Champions League football at a top European club, Manchester United still hold considerable appeal, even though Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal appear more stable contenders both domestically and in Europe. The prestige of Old Trafford and the prospect of succeeding Casemiro—who personally viewed Guimaraes as his ideal replacement—could still influence the player’s decision.

While INEOS typically avoid investing heavily in players nearing 30, Bruno Guimaraes represents a rare exception. With his all-rounded ability and leadership, he could transform Manchester United from top-four hopefuls into legitimate Premier League title challengers.