Arsenal are ready to strengthen their midfield this summer to bolster their title-winning squad, and Mikel Arteta has personally identified a top target that he wants.

The Gunners claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years by finishing seven points above Man City, while they also reached the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, where they suffered defeat to City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Now Arteta is ready to push his side forward to another level, and Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as the man he wants at the Emirates Stadium above any other.

Romano: Arteta Pushing for Guimaraes Deal

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Guimaraes, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Magpies this summer, and is currently shining with Brazil at the World Cup, registering four assists to help them into the Last 16 of the tournament.

Arsenal have already had an initial bid worth around £55m rejected by Newcastle for the Brazilian star, and reports suggest that the north London club are preparing a new £60m move to try and tempt them into a sale.

But speaking in his latest YouTube video, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that it’s Arteta who is the driving force behind the deal, and he expects it to be very difficult to complete.

“Obviously, Newcastle sold Sandro Tonali, Newcastle sold Anthony Gordon, so now Newcastle don’t have any intention to let Bruno Guimarães go,” he said.

“At the same time, Arsenal had been rejected, £55m. Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the player, so what I can tell you, in addition to all of this, is that he really, really likes the player. Mikel Arteta was driving this interest for Bruno Guimaraes internally.

“It’s not the first time Arsenal go for him. Even in the past, they were considering the possibility to go for Bruno Guimaraes, [he has] always been a player appreciated by Arteta. But now with Newcastle, it’s not going to be an easy one at all, because Newcastle again made money with Gordon, made money with Tonali, and they already told Bruno Guimaraes, and they told people close to him that they want to keep the player, so it’s not going to be easy at all for Arsenal to get it done.”

Guimaraes to Arsenal Would Be Game-Changer

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In the 2025/26 season, Arsenal’s midfield of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice was run into the ground by Arteta, to the point where he opted to use Myles Lewis-Skelly during the run-in.

Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino also provided other options during the season, but the addition of a new top-level midfield star would be a game-changing signing for the Gunners, and would help to take them to the next level.

Newcastle, obviously, don’t want to lose yet another star, but cash is king in football these days, and Arsenal have the resources to get a deal over the line if they stump up a fee that is big enough.

Piers Morgan has slammed BBC Sport’s commentators following comments made about Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup clash against Croatia on Thursday night.

Ronaldo, playing at his sixth World Cup finals, scored his first ever World Cup knockout stage goal in Portugal’s 2-1 win at the Toronto Stadium. The 41-year-old had a well-taken goal ruled out for offside on the hour-mark but broke his knockout stage duck minutes later when Portugal were awarded a penalty.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has blown hot and cold at this summer’s showpiece international tournament, cut a frustrated figure when he was subbed off in the 81st minute, with the scores locked at 1-1.

However, Goncalo Ramos fired Portugal through to the last 16, where they’ll face neighbours Spain next week, with the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage-time.

Croatia thought they’d sent the Round of 32 tie to extra-time when Josko Gvardiol bundled home from close range in the 13th minute of stoppage-time, but the dramatic equaliser was controversially ruled following a VAR review. FIFA have since released a statement explaining why the goal was disallowed.

BBC Sport

Over on X (Twitter), Piers Morgan has accused BBC Sport commentators Steve Wilson and Stephen Warnock of “trashing” Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer throughout the Croatia match.

The broadcaster, who makes no secret of his high admiration for Ronaldo, posted on X: “The BBC commentators in this Portugal-Croatia game have spent most of the match trashing Cristiano and saying he should come off. Then he has a brilliant goal narrowly disallowed, and scores a superb penalty. And they’re STILL saying he should do more. Pathetic.”

After Ronaldo was subbed off by Roberto Martinez and replaced by Ruben Neves, co-commentator Stephen Warnock, the former Liverpool and England defender, said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy. He is not happy at all.

BBC Sport

“Take the name out of it, it’s the right decision. He hasn’t affected the game enough. Yes, he scored the penalty. The link-up play, the pressing, it is not there from him.

The commentators also sounded surprised when Ronaldo wasn’t one of the four players substituted in the 61st minute of the match.

Lead commentator Steve Wilson asked Warnock for his opinion on Ronaldo continuing, to which the former Premier League player replied: “Interesting. Very interesting. Now he’s got a player up alongside him, will that change the dynamic of how he plays?”

Wilson added: “I have to say, I’m surprised that Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes have been pulled, but they have.”

Despite the goal, Ronaldo didn’t have his best game. Goal handed the legendary forward a 6/10 rating, commenting: “Didn’t play particularly well, scored a wonderful goal that was ruled offside, buried a pen, got subbed. A really weird game.”

Manchester United are said to have spoken to the representatives of a breakout World Cup star this summer. Michael Carrick and the Red Devils recruitment chiefs are working hard to improve their squad this summer, with United sensing an opportunity to become a side involved in the title race after a solid third-place finish last season.

Carrick has needs, with a replacement for Casemiro needing to be found. That search remains ongoing after Mateus Fernandes was snatched from their grasp by big-spending Tottenham.

United remain calm in their search for strength and depth, and their search could lead them to an up-and-coming World Cup star.

United consider deal for Boudaddi’s midfield partner

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Much has been made of Morocco youngster Ayoub Bouaddi in the Morocco midfield during this World Cup, but his midfield partner Neil El Aynaoui is now attracting attention for his impressively consistent performances in North America.

The Roma midfielder has been excellent in a dominant Morocco midfield that specialises in winning the ball and serving a fast transitional attack.

According to TeamTalk, El Aynaoui is becoming a hot property thanks to his work in North America this summer, and a number of sides are said to have spoken to his intermediaries. United are named among a host of clubs to have held conversations, and it’s though El Aynaoui could become available if Roma are handed the right proposal this summer.

Just how much that proposal would need to be worth remains to be seen, but it will be safely above £25million.

The 25-year-old would likely be a supplementary signing for United, and he would perhaps have more of a squad role despite his impressive displays at the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations. The Red Devils have already signed Ederson this summer, and they are likely to make a statement midfield signing ahead of the new season.

El Aynaoui an underrated player

Perhaps not helped by the midfield superstar in the making he has alongside him, El Aynaoui is an underrated talent, as noted by MoroccoBeat, who say he is one of ‘the most important players you don’t notice’.

Describing the player earlier this year, they wrote: “Observers highlight El Aynaoui’s tactical maturity as one of his greatest strengths. He positions himself intelligently between the lines, cuts passing lanes, and provides constant support to teammates under pressure. His calm use of the ball allows his team to build from the back without panic, while his physical engagement ensures defensive solidity.

“Another key aspect of his game is consistency. Match after match, El Aynaoui delivers the same level of concentration and discipline, qualities highly valued by coaching staff.”