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After Guimaraes, Arsenal Now Considering ‘Brilliant’ Iliman Ndiaye

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Arsenal will now turn their attention to signing a winger after confirming the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, and Everton star Iliman Ndiaye is one of the widemen being considered. The Gunners paid a £75million fixed fee to sign Guimaraes, meeting Newcastle in the middle to address their need for an elite number eight.

Mikel Arteta came into this window needing to address two key areas, and as well as the number 8 spot, the Spaniard has not hidden the fact he wants an elite left-winger.

Leandro Trossard, who has since left, did a good job on the left last season, while Gabriel Martinelli also contributed, but Arsenal need more if they are going to regularly compete with the best teams in the world.

Arsenal have considered Ndiaye transfer

Iliman Ndiaye
Iliman Ndiaye

According to The Independent, Arsenal have considered a deal for Everton star Ndiaye in their search for a left-winger. Julian Alvarez, who usually plays more centrally, is close to the top of the club’s list, while PSG’s Bradley Barcola is also being considered, but both players will cost huge money, likely somewhere above £130million.

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr was option number one, but the Gunners always knew that would be conditional on the winger rejecting a new contract at Real Madrid, and an agreement has now been reached.

Ndiaye would be a slightly more cost-effective option, and he has Premier League experience with Everton, scoring six and assisting three last season, while he scored nine from out wide during the previous campaign.

“Ili has hugely impressed me with how he’s played. He’s gone from the left side to the right side. He can play either side.” – Everton boss David Moyes

There have been reports that Everton could ask for as much as £100million for Ndiaye this summer, but even at that price, he would be cheaper than the likes of Barcola and Alvarez, albeit he is not anywhere near as proven at the very top level.

At this stage, the report claims Ndiaye has only been considered by Arsenal, and the interest has not gone beyond that, but the Gunners are now expected to ramp up their winger search after the signing of Guimaraes.

Arsenal’s current winger options

  • Bukayo Saka
  • Gabriel Martinelli
  • Christos Tzolis
  • Noni Madueke
  • Ethan Nwaneri
  • Reiss Nelson
  • Eberechi Eze

What Moyes has said about Ndiaye

David Moyes via Reuters

Ndiaye has been praised by Everton boss David Moyes for his versatility, but the veteran boss has wanted more consistency from the winger. He said last season: “Ili has hugely impressed me with how he’s played. He’s gone from the left side to the right side. He can play either side. I think he’s been better there. He’s been so good. We’re getting goals from him as well. He’s a great lad to work with. He’s shown some brilliant moments, especially in the first half against Manchester City, but we just want him to be like that in all the games.”

Arsenal confirm Guimaraes transfer

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrates Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

In the meantime, Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Guimaraes from Newcastle. Sporting director Andra Berta said: “We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club. Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.

“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year. Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.”

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Forget Hall, Man Utd Have Been Offered ‘Excellent’ Djed Spence

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Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign England World Cup star Djed Spence this summer as they look to add a new full-back. Michael Carrick has a particular need on the left side of defence, wanting more competition for Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu, while youngster Sergio León is also an option there.

The Red Devils have signed two midfielders so far this summer, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans snapped up, and there will likely be a third midfielder signing by the end of the summer window. Carrick could also move for an attacker, as well as a full-back, but United are going to need to speed things up, with less than four weeks remaining in the summer window. And it now looks as though primary target Lewis Hall is off the table.

Man Utd offered opportunity to sign Djed Spence

Djed Spence via Reuters

According to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, United have been offered the chance to sign Tottenham full-back Djed Spence, who is coming off an impressive World Cup with England.

“They might sign a right-sided full-back who can play on the other side,” Jacobs told The United Stand. “Djed Spence is a name on the player side who has been offered around. He’s been offered to Liverpool, been offered to Manchester United. I’m not aware yet whether the clubs are interested in that deal, but Spence wants to go somewhere he can play week-in, week-out, whether that’s on the right or the left.

“He is assessing his options even though Roberto De Zerbi would like to keep him as a squad player.” – Ben Jacobs on Djed Spence

“So his future, more broadly, might be one to watch. I don’t think Manchester United are saying they want Djed Spence, but he is being offered around Premier League clubs because with Pedro Porro on one side and Destiny Udogie on the other, and after a very positive World Cup, Spence can’t guarantee he will be playing next week. And that’s why he is assessing his options even though Roberto De Zerbi would like to keep him as a squad player.”

Who can play left-back for Man Utd currently?

  • Luke Shaw
  • Patrick Dorgu
  • Sergio León
  • Harry Amass

Spence can more than do a job at left-back

Djed Spence Face Mask England World Cup 2026 IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

One concern United may have is that they need a left-back more than a right-back, with Spence being right-footed, but interestingly, Alan Shearer believes Spence is actually better on what should be his weaker side.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Shearer told Betfair at the World Cup. “When he came on against Norway, he was brilliant, which then got his place again in the semi-final and deserved his spot. When he was called upon, I thought he was excellent.

“He’s a much better left-back, I think, which is really strange. Someone who’s right footed, he’s a much better left-back than he is right-back.”

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Bruno Guimaraes Reveals the Text Declan Rice Sent Him Before Arsenal Move

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Arsenal have completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in a deal worth £75million, adding further strength and depth to Mikel Arteta’s midfield ranks.

The Brazilian becomes one of the north London club’s most significant additions of the summer, joining a squad already brimming with Premier League and Champions League quality following last season’s title triumph.

Guimaraes leaves St James’ Park as club captain, having established himself as one of the division’s most complete midfielders since arriving from Lyon back in 2022. His switch to the Emirates now sets up an intriguing dynamic alongside Declan Rice, given their history on the pitch.

Bruno Guimaraes Reveals Declan Rice Text Message

Declan Rice with Premier League trophy REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Speaking in his first interview since completing the move, Guimaraes revealed he had already received a message from his new teammate. Rice, who has previously clashed with Guimaraes during fixtures between Arsenal and Newcastle, wasted no time in extending an olive branch ahead of his arrival.

“Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends.”

See what Guimaraes had to say in his interview below:

The pair have been involved in feisty exchanges in previous meetings between the two sides, frequently squaring up to each other, though Guimaraes’ arrival now means those battles will be a thing of the past, at least when it comes to facing off against one another.

How Arsenal’s Midfield Could Look with Guimaraes

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrates Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

The Brazilian gives Arteta an embarrassment of riches in central midfield, with Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino all already vying for regular minutes. The Brazilian’s versatility, able to operate as a No. 6 or a more advanced No. 8, gives Arteta license to rotate and adapt depending on the opponent, and in his own word is among the best in Europe.

It also raises the ceiling of what Arsenal’s midfield three could look like on their best days, with Rice potentially freed up to push further forward alongside Odegaard, while Guimaraes anchors things from a deeper role.

Competition for places will be fierce, but that’s exactly the kind of strength in depth Arteta has been building towards, as they enter a new Premier League season as champions for the first time since 2004.

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Tottenham Considering ‘Outstanding’ Georges Mikautadze Transfer

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Tottenham are now said to have identified a new forward target as they contemplate strengthening at the top end of the pitch. Spurs are now concentrating on attacking recruits after taking care of their defence and midfield with a club-record spending bill of £237million.

Roberto De Zerbi is backed like no other Spurs boss before him, with the club hoping to go from back-to-back bottom-half finishes to European qualification. Big squad changes are required, and the board is sticking to their word by splashing hundreds of millions in a bid to achieve their objective.

A winger looks to be next for Spurs, but a striker may also be signed, perhaps depending on whether Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leave.

Spurs now considering Mikautadze transfer

Georges Mikautadze in action at Euro 2024

According to journalist Paul O’Keefe, Tottenham are considering a deal to sign Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze. He posted on X: “Georges Mikautadze among the names attracting interest from Tottenham as they look to strengthen their attack.”

Mikautadze cost Villarreal up to €36million (£30,8m) last summer, arriving from Olympique Lyon, and he scored 12 times in La Liga in his first season with the club. The forward is under a long-term deal and his release clause is unclear at this stage, but it’s likely it is around €50million or more.

“We can’t maintain this level of spending and effort every year. We have to balance the accounts for the 2026–27 season and, even while playing in the Champions League, we may have to make a sale.” – Fernando Roig, Villarreal owner

Villarreal owner Fernando Roig has said the club will likely sell one player this summer to keep their finances ticking over, even after securing back-to-back qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history. But Mikautadze will not be under consideration to be sold, with the Yellow Submarine likely to allow Pape Gueye to move on amid Premier League interest.

Mikautadze was seen as a statement signing following Champions League qualification last summer, and as the club’s main striker, a sale is unlikely.

Strikers linked with Tottenham this summer

  • Omar Marmoush
  • Victor Osimhen
  • Benjamin Sesko
  • Folarin Balogun
  • Nicolas Jackson
  • Georges Mikautadze

What kind of player is Georges Mikautadze?

Georges MIKAUTADZE (ol) during the Ligue 1 MCDonald's match between Lyon and Rennes

Mikautadze has an extraordinary technical ability. That’s not to say he is one of the best players in the world, which would be too strong, but his technical ability is at an elite level. He is the sort of player who has that something special, and like any player of that mould, it doesn’t always come off.

But Mikautadze is a confident finisher. He loves to chip the goalkeeper when it’s on, and you’ll often seen deft finishes from the Georgia international, rather than powerful strikes. He can play a fox in the box type of role, but he also likes to drift elsewhere to pick up the ball on the edge of the box and attempt curlers from a little further out.

What he is not is a dominant striker who is going to hold the ball up or win headers consistently. Mikautadze needs the ball at his feet to succeed. Like many of those sorts of players, he can go missing in a more direct game, but if he is given the ball to feet or in behind, he has rapid pace and can damage teams quickly with his technical ability. He has quick feet and trickery, and at 25 years of age, he is starting to really polish that, with his first LaLiga season seeing him become a little more disciplined with how he uses the ball.

Marcelino, who was in charge of Villarreal last season, said of the forward: “He’s a little anarchic, intuitive, intelligent, a great finisher with both feet.”

He added in October of last year: “Georges is a player who is still adapting. He’s showing his qualities. He has countless resources and can finish against top-class goalkeepers. He can give us an outstanding performance and help us achieve our objectives.”

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