Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães has reportedly informed his club that joining Arsenal is “his wish” this summer. That declaration has been met with resistance on Tyneside. It was bluntly rejected. Reports suggest Arsenal may return with another offer, but the response on the North-East is likely to be mixed.

The attraction for Guimarães is straightforward. Arsenal finished top of the Premier League last season and took Paris Saint-Germain to a penalty shootout in the Champions League final. With a squad described as still in its prime, Mikel Arteta has a settled first-choice XI, yet there is scope for increased depth as Arsenal pursue prolonged runs across competitions. Thomas Tuchel has observed how heavily players in north London are managed through the campaign, with both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice nursing injuries at the World Cup. Guimarães is presented as a player capable of operating alongside or in place of Rice.

But player desire does not guarantee a move. The Brazilian’s importance to Newcastle is difficult to overstate. It was not until March that the Magpies recorded their first Premier League victory without him since he arrived more than four years earlier. He is described as the brain, heart and lungs of Eddie Howe’s side, and the team’s structure struggles when he is absent.

Newcastle’s finances also blunt the urgency to sell. The club has already banked almost $215 million from the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer. After several seasons carefully managing Premier League financial rules, there is little need for funds that a Guimarães sale would produce, particularly at the levels Arsenal have been linked with. The Gunners have so far failed to move above $75 million, while Tonali cost Tottenham a minimum of $124 million.

Given the player’s form, his central role and Newcastle’s recent transfer income, a deal now appears unlikely despite the player’s wishes and Arsenal’s continued interest, according to The Athletic.

Arsenal are reported to be close to completing a free transfer for former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier, a move intended to add experienced options to the club’s goalkeeping group. Meslier spent six of his seven seasons as the starter at Elland Road, helped Leeds to two promotions and has more than 100 Premier League appearances to his name.

The Frenchman lost his place in the pecking order in 2025–26 when Karl Darlow took over as Leeds starter. Meslier did not play a single minute of senior football for the Whites that season and was instead used with the club’s U-21s.

At Arsenal, three-time Premier League Golden Glove award winner David Raya is expected to remain the clear first choice. The proposed signing is described as providing flexibility in the depth chart rather than immediate competition for the starting role.

Reports indicate Meslier’s arrival could facilitate a loan move for Arsenal’s England U-21 goalkeeper Tommy Setford. The 20 year old has significant potential but, according to The Athletic, Arsenal believe he needs consistent playing time at a more competitive level for his development.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is currently Raya’s backup. He has two years remaining on his contract and Sky Sports recently suggested the Spaniard could be receptive to an opportunity to start elsewhere. If Kepa were to leave, Meslier would be poised to move from third choice into the role of Raya’s backup for 2026–27.

Though Meslier’s career did not follow the trajectory some expected after his early breakthrough at Leeds, he brings top-flight experience and will arrive as a free agent whose signing cost will be limited to wages. Arsenal’s management under Mikel Arteta is planning squad turnover despite securing the club’s long-sought Premier League success, with this addition framed as part of that ongoing refresh.

Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs monitoring Alex Scott after reports that the midfielder rejected a contract extension from Bournemouth. The development has sharpened interest in a player who was influential during the Cherries’ historic campaign and who remains under contract for a couple more seasons.

Ben Jacobs reported at the end of May that Bournemouth were confident Scott would sign a new deal after the club secured a spot in the Europa League for the very first time. That confidence now looks misplaced, but the club have made clear they have no intention of selling Scott ahead of their first European venture and would only consider a very large offer.

Signed as a teenager from Bristol City for £25 million ($33.5 million) in 2023, the 22-year-old featured 37 times in the top flight last season, recording four goal contributions. He produced a decisive performance at the Emirates in April, scoring Bournemouth’s winning goal after 74 minutes to secure a 2–1 victory.

The route Scott occupies in the market is complicated. Arsenal remain focused on Bruno Guimarães, while Manchester United have widened their search across several midfield options, including Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. United are also hoping to finalize a deal with Atalanta’s Éderson after Brazil exited the World Cup. The midfield market has already been reshaped by moves involving Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the latter two reportedly set to join Tottenham Hotspur in a transformation of Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield for no less than £185 million ($247 million).

Scott’s profile fits why he is attracting attention. He operated primarily in a double pivot alongside Tyler Adams or Ryan Christie for Bournemouth, described in the report as a positive, carry-first midfielder. Andoni Iraola highlighted his development after the Emirates win: “I’m very happy, because he is becoming a very, very complete player,” he said after Scott’s match-winning display against Arsenal in April.

Even with the rejection of Bournemouth’s offer, a move is not guaranteed this summer. The Cherries value Scott highly, and any prospective purchaser will face a club determined to keep a key figure for their maiden European campaign.