Arsenal may be able to land Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for a relatively cut-price this summer, according to journalist Lee Ryder.

Guimaraes caught the eye once again for Newcastle last season, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 41 appearances across all competitions. This impressive campaign has prompted the Gunners to explore the possibility of signing the Brazilian, with some reports suggesting a market opportunity could be on the cards due to the player’s contractual situation and the Magpies’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Newcastle are said to be fearful of losing Guimaraes, whose agent met with super agent Kia Joorabchian recently, possibly to discuss a blockbuster move.

Clarity on the potential fee Arsenal would need to stump up for the 28-year-old has now been provided in an intriguing transfer update.

Arsenal Could Sign Guimaraes for Just £65m

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Arsenal are in the market for a new central midfielder after Martin Zubimendi struggled in the back half of last season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly’s stint in the middle of the park wasn’t quite long enough to bank on.

While Alex Scott and Ayyoub Bouaddi have been heavily linked, Guimaraes has emerged as the most likely candidate in recent days.

Newcastle correspondent Lee Ryder told Arsenal journalist Tom Canton that an offer of £65 million could get a deal for the former Lyon man in motion.

“We are told that £65m could be the tipping point… it could be some type of verbal agreement between Bruno and his people,” Ryder said.

“If Arsenal turn that into an official bid, then the wheels might start moving.”

Newcastle paid £40 million for Guimaraes back in 2022, and they’d likely have hoped for a more substantial profit than £25 million in the scenario that they sold their talismanic number eight.

However, the Tynesiders have lost leverage by not securing European qualification, and by allowing the player’s contract to run into its final 24 months.

Sandro Tonali’s Tottenham Move Could Complicate Bruno Guimaraes Deal

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Newcastle are facing something of a mass exodus of their best players this summer. Antony Gordon joined Barcelona last month, while Sandro Tonali is on the verge of completing a £100 million switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

Tonali’s exit in particular is likely to impact Guimaraes’ prospective move. Newcastle will surely be reluctant to sanction the departure of their two best midfielders in the same window.

The windfall from generating around £170 million for the Italian and Gordon also means that the Magpies won’t exactly be strapped for cash. They have little reason to accept a slightly underwhelming offer for Guimaraes, beyond the threat of losing him for free in two years’ time.

In fact, some reports suggest that Newcastle are prepared to offer their captain a bumper new contract to fend off Arsenal’s interest, despite these reports that indicate a move could be on the cards.

At 17, Mexico‘s Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at this year’s World Cup, but he isn’t here to just make up the numbers — he stunned in his country’s victory over Ecuador.

The Round of 32 victory against La Tri was another landmark in the youngster’s early career, as the attacking midfielder was already reaching double figures for his country whilst starting his second game of the tournament.

Naturally, he has become something of a breakout star. Social media is awash with praise for the Club Tijuana star, who is likely to attract transfer interest in the near future.

However, a deal won’t be straightforward. Given he is the second-youngest ever player to start a knockout match at a World Cup and is attracting concrete transfer interest, now is a good time to get the record straight.

Why a transfer move for Gilberto Mora will have to wait

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Despite his infancy in senior professional football, Mora has already recorded 53 appearances for Club Tijuana, and he is regarded as the country’s brightest emerging talent.

With 10 goals and two assists across those appearances, there’s no doubting the early pedigree he has built which is fueling his current reputation. He was recently awarded the number 10 shirt and given a contract until 2029. For the youngest goalscorer in Liga MX history – a feat he managed aged 15 – it is certainly deserved.

Due to his age, he isn’t legally allowed to complete a transfer deal until he turns 18, which doesn’t occur until October 14, 2026. These are the official restrictions put in place by FIFA that have stood since 2001. Although his recent contract stipulates a release clause north of €20 million, a number that will be highly attractive to European clubs.

Given his showings for Mexico across the past month, it is clear he needs to continue on his path of regular football. Even after the World Cup, returning to Tijuana, his reputation and standing will have increased, and managing that with first-team football will be a fundamental part of his development before his inevitable move halfway across the world in the future.

Possible transfer destinations

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Clubs are able to agree a deal with the release clause prior to Mora turning 18. He would just have to remain at his club until then officially joining. In the past, the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid have done this, allowing the player to continue featuring for their club or even securing loans to other clubs.

Mora could follow the likes of Endrick, Vinícius Júnior and Estêvão Willian and make a move to Europe’s top five leagues. Already linked with a move are Manchester United, Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City and his recent performances will have only reaffirmed their interest.

Any deal will make Mora the most expensive outgoing transfer in Liga MX history, eclipsing both Edson Alvarez and Enner Valencia, who left for Ajax and West Ham United respectively.

Mora may well get the chance to continue to shine on the world’s biggest stage as Mexico looks to ride the crest of a wave, with Europe’s elite casting a watchful eye on a rising star.

A World Cup nation has lodged an official FIFA complaint against Mexico as they begin preparations for a huge Round of 16 clash with England on Sunday night. El Tri appeared to have progressed to the next knockout stage with little complication after a 2-0 win over Ecuador at the Azteca Stadium.

The same cannot be said about England, who trudged through to a late 2-1 comeback win against tournament debutants DR Congo in Atlanta. Harry Kane scored twice in the final 20 minutes to overturn a shock opener inside seven minutes, rescuing what proved to be a banana skin for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Their first major tournament under the German coach very nearly came to an abrupt end, and their next encounter is shaping up to be his biggest test yet.

Mexican media have already spoken up about their chances ahead of the weekend showdown, with atmosphere, altitude, and El Tri’s historic performances this summer giving them every reason to be confident. However, off-field matters have not been as rosy, with Mexico now facing a second complaint from Ecuador following the Round of 32 after already being criticised for a shocking chant.

Mexico Facing Second Complaint Ahead of England Clash

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As per the Mirror, the Ecuadorian Football Federation has lodged a complaint to FIFA after an incident in Mexico City, which saw the team’s hotel ambushed by hundreds of Mexico fans letting off fireworks into the early hours of the morning before their knockout match.

Stating the football governing body had not upheld the principles of fair play and equality a World Cup should be all about, the baptism of fire that the South American nation had faced upon their arrival in the capital city was similar to the scenes seen during Champions League matches in Europe, but on a whole other scale. Watch below:

Local media reported that around 1,000 Mexico supporters staged a noisy ‘serenade’ – a musical performance given to honour or express love – in Mexico City on Monday. El Tri have now won all four matches this summer without conceding a single goal – they are the first nation to achieve that feat since Italy in 1990.

How England Plan to Avoid Mexico Fans’ Chaotic Tactics

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

The ambush promises to provide a logistical nightmare for England and the FA. England would prefer a late arrival in Mexico City – to mitigate the effects of it being at altitude. England are also keen to keep the identification of the team hotel under wraps.

But due to FIFA tournament rules, teams have to be in the city hosting the game within 24 hours of kick-off, which is 8pm local time on Sunday. Local police will be in place at the team base – but attention from Mexican fans will be inevitable, adding to the problems they already face going into the fixture.