Arsenal could finally land a player they’ve been courting for more than five years this summer, as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster the squad that delivered the Premier League title to the Emirates Stadium last season.

Reports emerged on Thursday evening indicating that the Gunners have been in contact with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and the Brazilian’s representatives over a prospective transfer. Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Friday morning that Arsenal have already launched a £55million move for the Magpies’ captain.

While Newcastle are reportedly not keen on selling their talismanic midfielder, the North Londoners may well return with an improved offer.

Arsenal’s priority this summer may be to strengthen in the attacking areas, but sporting director Andrea Berta evidently feels as though an upgrade in midfield is equally as important, with the likes of Alex Scott, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Sandro Tonali also said to be on the Italian’s radar.

Arsenal Considering Bruno Guimaraes deal this summer

via Reuters

A shock transfer report emerged on Friday evening, as Newcastle correspondent Craig Hope revealed that Arsenal are planning an audacious move for Guimaraes.

The journalist claimed that the Gunners have already held talks with the 28-year-old’s camp, with a view to making a move later this summer.

Given that Eddie Howe is already potentially set to lose Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur, it’s no surprise that reports indicate that the north-east outfit are prepared to bat away any offers for Guimaraes.

However, it seems as though Arsenal are indeed willing to try their luck. Speaking on his YouTube channel on Thursday, Romano revealed that he’s aware of the Premier League Champions’ approach for Guimaraes.

“I can confirm the information going around England, reported by Craig Hope about Newcastle, about Arsenal’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes,” the transfer guru said.

“It’s true that Arsenal made an approach for Bruno Guimaraes. It was a direct approach on player side and club side with Newcastle, so Arsenal have reached out for Bruno Guimaraes. My understanding is that their intention was to try to approach for a deal around £55million, but Newcastle are not selling the player for that fee.

“Newcastle closed the doors to this approach from Arsenal. Now we will see if Arsenal return, if there is anything moving at the moment. Bruno Guimaraes is leaving everything in the hands of Newcastle, and he is respecting Newcastle.”

While Romano’s update suggests that Newcastle may be stubborn in their stance regarding Guimaraes, Arsenal won’t give up without trying.

Berta has developed a reputation for not backing down without a fight in transfer negotiations, and he’ll likely do everything in his power to land the former Lyon man if he feels he is the right candidate.

Guimaraes enjoyed another excellent season for Newcastle in 2025/26, despite Howe’s side’s troubles.

He scored nine goals and registered seven assists across 41 appearances, and this form has seemingly sparked interest from top clubs once again.

Martin Zubimendi suffered in the back half of last season for Arsenal, explaining why Berta and Arteta may feel the acquisition of Guimaraes to be necessary.

Arsenal Tried to Sign Bruno Guimaraes in 2021

Ricardo Moraes via Reuters

Arsenal have long held an interest in Guimaraes. Back in the summer of 2021, the Gunners were heavily linked with the Brazil international, who was then plying his trade at Lyon in France.

He’d just enjoyed a breakout season in Ligue 1, six months after making the move from Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense.

A deal ultimately couldn’t be agreed, and the Gunners instead went on to add the likes of Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga to their squad that summer.

Fast forward six months, and Arsenal were again linked with Guimaraes before Newcastle ultimately landed the number eight in January 2022.

The Magpies took the midfield maestro away from the North Londoners, signing him in a £40million deal.

Arsenal have been mooted as a potential suitor for Guimaraes in subsequent windows, but few concrete reports have actually surfaced on this front until this week.

Now, after years of monitoring him, he could finally be Emirates-bound, and for a cut-price fee, although it is clear they will have to improve on the initial £55million offer. Arsenal are understood to be readying a second bid and reports have suggested an offer of £60million could get a deal done.

Alan Shearer has described Guimaraes as ‘brilliant‘ in the recent past, and this legendary figure’s endorsement is a clear indication of just how important he is to the Magpies.

Everything runs through Guimaraes in Howe’s team, and thus, Arsenal would be landing the services of one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League if they can get a deal over the line.

A US reporter has come under significant fire for ‘pathetic’ comments she made ahead of the Stars and Stripes’ World Cup Last 32 Match vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night. Mauricio Pochettino’s side continue to make waves this summer, with their wins over Paraguay and Australia marking their first back-to-back wins at the showpiece tournament since 1930.

Of course, a 3-2 loss against Turkiye in their final match – which granted the latter an unusual ‘Unofficial World Champions’ title – proved a humbling reminder that the Americans may face far more complications against more traditional football powerhouses. But with a lot of rotation considering they had qualified for the knockout stages early, the bigger picture remains promising.

It looks as though the USA have a rather straightforward route to the semi-finals this summer, should they continue to perform and meet on-paper expectations. However, it would seem one reporter has got carried away.

There’s a stereotype that Americans aren’t too clued-up on geography, with TikTok compilations made in the past to highlight the idea many can’t pinpoint major European nations on the map. Of course, Bosnia is a far lesser-known country, having only gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1992.

Even still, Abigail Velez from ABC News did her and her own nation no favours in a recent segment about USA’s upcoming Round of 32 tie with Edin Dzeko and co. Admitting she has no knowledge of Bosnia, she then appears to imply the Stars and Stripes will find no issues with progressing on Wednesday. She said (Watch the full segment below):

Criticism has come thick and fast for the reporter, as one confused viewer wrote: “Pathetic and insulting to the Bosnian community in the east bay, who may have quite literally built the house she lives in,” as another remarked: “Damn, crazy that this is live TV,” and a fourth continued: “What a terrible look.”

Another user said it “disgusted” them, while a sixth concluded: “Imagine being a journalist and speaking like that. Literally zero professionalism.”

USA’s Chances of Beating Bosnia in Round of 32

The two teams have met on three occasions, all of them in international friendlies. In their most recent encounter in December 2021, the USA edged Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0 thanks to a goal from Cole Bassett. The sides also drew 0-0 in January 2018, while the Americans recorded a 4-3 victory in August 2013, with Jozy Altidore scoring a hat-trick.

On paper, that record gives the USA reason for confidence. However, some of the reporter’s overexcited tone suggests that early tournament optimism may be getting ahead of itself, overlooking the reality that no opponent is straightforward in the World Cup knockout stages. Bosnia, in particular, could prove a banana skin for sections of the US fanbase expecting a comfortable passage.

Edin Dzeko, the former Manchester City striker, remains capable of decisive moments, while Kerim Alajbegovic is an emerging talent whose recent move to Bayer Leverkusen highlights the country’s growing pool of quality players.

Oleksandr Usyk is no longer the heavyweight champion of the world. The brilliant Ukrainian took to social media on Friday to confirm that he would be vacating all of his titles, including the WBA ‘super’, Ring Magazine, WBC and IBF belts.

Explaining the motivation behind his decision, Usyk declared:

“I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold to make them available for the guys next in line to fight for them.”

Oleksandr Usyk Set to Retire After ‘One Last Dance’

After making the announcement, Usyk revealed that he would be having one more fight, which he referred to as “my last dance.” No opponent has yet been announced, but it is clear that the undefeated 25-0 wizard will not be competing for much longer.

One person who will be pleased to learn of Usyk’s plans is former super middleweight world champion George Groves. Just hours prior to the shock announcement, GIVEMESPORT spoke exclusively to ‘The Saint’, in association with MrQ.

Groves praised Usyk for his “exceptional” career, before explaining why he was keen to see the two-weight undisputed world champion wind down the in-ring chapter of his life.

“I think Usyk has been exceptional his entire career and what I would hate to happen to him is to have his legacy tainted by a loss or a subpar performance at this stage of his career because he’s no longer motivated, or he’s no longer able to perform at the levels that he once had.”

Groves also expressed his lack of desire to see Usyk go back over old ground, including potential rematches with Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

“I think if Usyk retires tomorrow, I’d have no complaints about that,” stated Groves. “I think he’s had a fantastic career.

At 39 years old, decline is almost inevitable, even for a fighter as accomplished as Usyk. The now-former champion was considered lucky by most to have avoided a loss to kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven last month, despite securing an 11th round stoppage.

Oleksandr Usyk Urged to Avoid One Fighter Before Retiring From Boxing

Groves pointed out that he would be sad to see the Ukrainian lose his unbeaten record to an up-and-coming prospect, purely because age had taken its toll on him.

“If it is a Moses Itauma in a year or so’s time, then I think Usyk probably gets beat. So if that’s the case, he should probably retire before facing someone like that.

No details have yet been made public over who will succeed Usyk as champion for any of the three governing bodies he held belts with. However, it is widely expected that top-ranked contender Agit Kabayel will be promoted to full champion status by the WBC.

Regardless of who takes over from him at the top of the division, they will have some legendary shoes to fill.