Arsenal handed Bruno Guimaraes transfer boost as Newcastle United identify dream replacement - report
Arsenal may finally be able to complete a blockbuster move for Bruno Guimaraes as Newcastle United have identified their replacement.
To say it has been a rough summer transfer window for Newcastle United so far almost feels like an understatement.
In the six weeks since the window opened on June 15, the Geordie club have lost several of their key players with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier all departing.
Although Newcastle have received around £170million for the sales of Gordon and Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, it's little reassurance to fans who are yet to see a major blockbuster signing arrive this summer.
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Things got even worse for Newcastle fans as it was revealed that captain Guimaraes was also eager to leave St James' Park this summer amid strong interest from reigning Premier League champions Arsenal.
The Brazilian has reportedly gone so far as to hand a transfer request to help secure the move, which continues to be in the works after Arsenal have had a £55m bid rejected.
But now, it appears Arsenal may have their best chance yet to finally secure a deal as a report from Portugal’s Correio da Manhã has claimed that Newcastle have identified Victor Froholdt as their leading target to replace Guimaraes.
Froholdt, who currently plays for Porto, has been linked with Newcastle United in the past, with the Magpies previously sending scouts to watch him on multiple occasions last season.
The report claims that each scouting report came back with glowing recommendations, with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said to be keen to sign the Danish midfielder.
However, it appears that any potential deal for the 20-year-old will not be easy, with Porto making it clear that they will not entertain any deal unless it is close to his €85m (£73.6m) release clause.
And after Froholdt signed a five-year deal following his €20m (£17.3m) move from F.C. Copenhagen last year, Porto hold all the power in negotiations as they are in no rush to sell their star midfielder.
With that in mind, it is believed that Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson and Botafogo midfielder Danilo remain options for Newcastle if Guimaraes is to leave, but Froholdt remains the first-choice replacement.
Arsenal in final stages of Bruno Guimaraes negotiations as fee agreed
The news comes just hours after it was confirmed that Arsenal had made significant progress in their pursuit of Guimaraes.
According to talkSPORT, a verbal agreement on a fee north of £75m has now been agreed, following reports that the midfielder has already agreed personal terms for the move.
Since the report emerged, conflicting reports have claimed that sources at Newcastle United have denied reaching such an agreement, reiterating that no formal bids have been submitted.
Newcastle have also made clear that their stance is that their captain, who still has two years left on his contract, is not for sale this summer, regardless of his wishes to make the move.
But given the fact that Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool in a similar situation, it appears that anything could still happen ahead of the Premier League season starting next month.
Topics: Arsenal, Newcastle United, Premier League, Transfer News, Football
Ben McCrum