Arsenal are expected to intensify their efforts to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the coming days, as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield department ahead of the new Premier League season.

The Gunners are yet to get going in the transfer market, with a permanent deal for Piero Hincapie and a move for back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier the only deals that have developed thus far. However, with the World Cup now in its latter stages, sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to accelerate transfer proceedings in the coming weeks.

An improved offer for Guimaraes, repeatedly called ‘magnificent’ by Alan Shearer in the past, is reportedly set to be lodged, although Newcastle are said to be holding out for upwards of £90million for their talisman. Whether the Gunners are willing to reach this figure remains to be seen, although the Brazilian’s purported desire to swap the north-east for North London could see him agitate for a move – he’s already made it clear he wants to join Arsenal – which would set the deal in motion.

With that said, GIVEMESPORT has taken a look at the winners and losers of Guimaraes’ prospective move to Arsenal.

Winners from Arsenal Signing Bruno Guimaraes

Declan Rice

Arsenal were not able to give Declan Rice regular rests last season. The England international played well over 4,000 minutes across all competitions, and this has resulted in him reportedly playing through back and hamstring issues throughout the World Cup.

The reason why Arteta likely felt this was unavoidable is that the Gunners cannot cope without Rice. The 27-year-old is essential to everything the North London outfit do in midfield, from their ball progression to their ability to prevent transitions to crashing the box and getting on the end of moves.

With Guimaraes at the Spanish manager’s disposal, he’d all of a sudden have a viable alternative to Rice who can do almost everything across every area of the pitch. This would give Rice some respite, allowing the Englishman to recover from his niggling injuries and be used more sporadically.

Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard has faced plenty of criticism over the past two seasons, with many Arsenal supporters frustrated by his reduced output in the final third. While he remains integral to the Gunners’ build-up play and continues to set the tone with his pressing, a decline in goals and assists has inevitably affected how his performances are perceived.

Guimaraes could ease some of that creative burden. The Newcastle captain registered nine goals and seven assists in all competitions last season, consistently making decisive contributions in advanced areas. Whether it’s arriving late in the box, threading a killer pass or putting the finishing touch on a flowing move, Guimaraes has a habit of influencing matches where it matters most.

Having another midfielder capable of producing those numbers would allow Odegaard to play more to his strengths. Rather than feeling the weight of having to provide the decisive moment in and around the penalty area, the Norwegian could focus on dictating play, linking attacks and leading Arsenal’s press—qualities that remain central to his value to the team.

Eberechi Eze

If Guimaraes arrives in North London, he’s likely to form a midfield trio with Rice and one of Odegaard or Eberechi Eze. Regardless of who the third man is, the advanced player is likely to benefit from Guimaraes’ arrival, but for different reasons.

While for Odegaard it’s about reducing his need to impact the game in the final third, for Eze it’s the opposite. The bulk of the criticism aimed at Eze last season was that he wasn’t able to drop deep and progress the ball, while his pressing was often unsynchronised with the rest of the team.

The former Crystal Palace man was largely playing instead of Odegaard, and the Arsenal captain’s primary attributes were missed. However, Guimaraes is capable of taking the ball progression mantle when Odegaard isn’t available, allowing Eze to focus on what he does best — making decisive contributions in the final third.

In turn, Eze’s output should improve, while he can be appreciated for the aspects of his game that make him so effective.

Losers from Arsenal Signing Bruno Guimaraes

Martin Zubimendi

Via Reuters

Arsenal signed Martin Zubimendi for in excess of £50million last summer to provide Rice with a new long-term midfield partner following the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Zubimendi excelled in the first half of last season, but struggled in the latter stages after being overburdened with minutes.

It appears this underwhelming late form may have cost the Spaniard his status as the undisputed Rice partner in the middle of the park for the Gunners. Berta is moving aggressively to secure a new midfielder this summer, and a player of Guimaraes’ pedigree wouldn’t go to Arsenal to sit on the bench.

While there wouldn’t be a shortage of minutes for Zubimendi with the new man in the mix, his prominence would certainly take a hit.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a late resurgence in the Arsenal team last season, replacing the fatigued Zubimendi and seemingly rediscovering himself as a midfielder. He’d no doubt have believed this form would’ve done enough to convince Arteta to invest more time in him in this position moving forward.

However, Guimaraes’ potential arrival raises questions on this front. With the Brazil international, Rice and Zubimendi all on Arsenal’s books, it’s uncertain how many minutes will be made available for Lewis-Skelly to continue to adequately develop in this new role.

This signing may even push the Hale End graduate out the door on a temporary basis.

Mikel Merino

Like Zubimendi and Lewis-Skelly, Mikel Merino’s role in Arsenal’s squad will be thrown into doubt by the potential acquisition of Guimaraes. After being unavailable in the back half of last season due to injury, the Spain international was already facing an uphill battle to re-establish himself in Arteta’s squad.

Again, due to the number of competitions Arsenal are in, there should be minutes to go around for all of these players. However, Merino’s days as a key player at the Emirates would surely be numbered, with his profile no longer necessary in a squad that has everything you could ask for in a midfield department.

Liverpool have had a slow start to the summer transfer window and will need to pick up proceedings in the coming weeks to ensure new manager Andoni Iraola is equipped to take his team into the 2026/27 campaign.

The Reds endured a miserable 2025/26 season, finishing fifth on 60 points, a year after cruising to the Premier League title. Clearly, something of a rebuild is needed at Anfield, with significant investment in the squad required.

Promising defender Jeremy Jacquet has arrived from Rennes in a £60million deal, while Osasuna winger Victor Munoz has joined for a fee in the region of £35million.

These acquisitions represent smart moves, but the pressing need to replace the legendary Mohamed Salah still hasn’t been addressed. With that said, GIVEMESPORT have put together a dream Liverpool XI for next season, which includes five new signings.

Goalkeeper

Alisson

Caean Couto / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Liverpool will presumably move on from Alisson Becker in the near future, although that isn’t likely to happen this summer. The Brazilian will turn 34 in October and has 12 months left on his deal on Merseyside, making next year a natural parting point for the legendary shot-stopper.

The Reds have lost the likes of Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in recent windows, so will look to keep at least a few core members of their last iteration in Iraola’s squad for experience reasons. Alisson is a part of this.

Giorgi Mamardashvili is waiting in the wings to succeed the former Roma man, and will likely do so from the start of the 2027/28 season.

Defence

Read, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez

Liverpool could have something of a new-look defence next season. Ibrahima Konate has departed for Real Madrid, Robertson has signed for Tottenham, while a new right-back is still being targeted.

Alexander-Arnold left a gaping hole on the right-hand side of Liverpool’s defence when he cut ties last summer to join Real Madrid. This void was not adequately filled by Jeremie Frimpong, who has struggled with the physicality and intensity of the Premier League. Conor Bradley is still fighting his way back from a serious injury, and thus, it’s clear that this is an area of Iraola’s squad that needs addressing.

Few concrete links to right-backs have emerged so far this summer, although one name has been mentioned sporadically over the last several months. Feyenoord’s Givairo Read has been touted as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold, and a reasonably cheap deal could be struck with the Eredivisie giants.

It’s not clear how much this speculation was driven by Arne Slot’s link with Feyenoord, but given how impressively the 20-year-old has performed in the last two seasons, it wouldn’t be surprising if Liverpool retained their interest even without their former head coach at the helm.

At the heart of the defence, a new partnership could be set to flourish. Konate and Virgil van Dijk’s relationship has been broken up, but Jacquet could simply replace the Bernabeu-bound Frenchman. While he’s only 20, Liverpool spent £60million on Jacquet, which suggests they see him making an imminent impact, even if they are still on the hunt for another central defender.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez may have struggled in his debut season at Anfield, but he’ll be reunited with the manager who developed him at Bournemouth. This is certainly a good enough reason to give the Hungarian another go, particularly given how many other areas need addressing.

Midfield

Wharton, Szoboszlai, Wirtz

via Reuters

Various reports suggest midfield is an area of concern for Iraola. While the Merseysiders possess several adept number eights, they arguably still lack an out-and-out number six.

Liverpool’s interest in Adam Wharton is well documented, and now could be the time to make their move on this front. Crystal Palace are demanding around £100million for Wharton, and while this prospective fee could deter Iraola and his recruitment team, there could be creative ways around this potential stumbling block.

The Reds could reportedly offer Harvey Elliott plus cash in exchange for Wharton — an agreement which could appeal to the South London club. Wharton would be the perfect man to complement Dominik Szoboszlai, who will continue in a prominent role at Anfield after excelling last term, in Liverpool’s double pivot.

In front of them, £116.5million man Florian Wirtz will get another opportunity to prove himself on Merseyside. An underwhelming debut campaign should not mean Liverpool’s decision-makers give up on him just yet, even if he does need to do a lot more to justify his price tag next season.

Attack

Barcola, Isak, Munoz

via Reuters

Liverpool’s attack has undergone a major rebuild in recent years, and this rebuild should be completed this summer. The likes of Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are a thing of the past, while Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa could also be moved on.

Alexander Isak will get a fresh chance to lead the Reds’ attack after a frustrating first season in the north-west. He won’t have a buoyant Hugo Ekitike to compete with for some time as the Frenchman nurses his way back from a major injury, while he’ll come into the campaign in a better state physically than he did last term.

As for the flanks, both sides could look very different next term. Munoz may prove to be a squad depth signing, although for the time being, it seems as though he may be seen as a starter. The Spaniard scored seven goals and provided five assists in a poor Osasuna side last season, and is ready to thrive in a better team.

Either one of Munoz or Salah’s replacement will start on the right, with the other on the left. After Yan Diomande declared his desire to join Paris Saint-Germain, Bradley Barcola has become the dream Salah successor. The French wide forward is ready to leave Paris to play a more prominent role elsewhere, and Liverpool may suit him.

Iraola can use the rapid World Cup star on either wing, and can maximise his threat by instructing the likes of Wirtz and Szoboszlai to feed quick balls to him in behind. A deal could be done at around £100million with PSG.

Granit Xhaka had some harsh words after Switzerland’s World Cup dream ended in a 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina, with Breel Embolo’s controversial dismissal for simulation the moment that changed everything.

Embolo was sent off in the 71st minute after referee Joao Pinheiro was sent to the pitch-side monitor to review a challenge involving Leandro Paredes. Paredes had initially been booked for the foul, but the review under the “mistaken identity” protocol saw that yellow rescinded and a second one shown to the Swiss forward instead, ruled to have dived.

Switzerland played the remainder of normal time and all of extra-time with 10 men.

Xhaka: “You Kill the Game”

Jay Biggerstaff (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

The Swiss captain’s frustration was obvious when he faced the media after the final whistle. “The rules are the rules,” Xhaka said, “but it’s a decision where you kill the game in my opinion.” It was a measured but pointed response from the Sunderland midfielder, who watched his side’s numerical disadvantage prove decisive over the remaining hour of football.

Switzerland had just drawn level through Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye moments before Embolo’s red card, and looked the more dangerous side in the immediate aftermath, only for the sending off to swing momentum firmly back in Argentina’s favour.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both scored in extra-time to complete the turnaround, with Xhaka’s post-match comments reflecting a wider sense in the Swiss camp that the result had been shaped by the officials as much as by events on the pitch.

See what Xhaka had to say below:

Christina Unkel Delivers Interesting Verdict

Denny Medley (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

The debate didn’t end with Xhaka. Former FIFA referee Christina Unkel drew a direct line between Embolo’s dismissal and a near-identical incident involving Miguel Almiron in the United States’ opening group game with Paraguay, arguing FIFA is using the mistaken identity framework to disguise a different kind of intervention entirely.

“Embolo decision is consistent with Almiron decision,” she wrote. “FIFA is treating these situations as mistaken identity but it’s really ‘Simulation’ VAR can recommend. The controversial part is VAR is not just changing the player but is changing the offence. We are in re-refereeing zone.”

The comparison has gathered traction online, with both incidents following the same pattern: an initial card for a foul, a VAR review, and a reversal that punishes the player deemed to have gone down rather than the one who made contact.