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Manchester United risk losing yet another target to a Premier League rival as Arsenal pull ahead in the race for Bruno Guimaraes, though the Red Devils have struck a deal for a different Brazilian midfielder, according to David Ornstein.<\/p>\n
Having already reached a \u00a339 million agreement with Atalanta to sign Ederson, INEOS were hoping to make either Elliot Anderson or Mateus Fernandes their next signing to bolster Michael Carrick\u2019s engine room. But the financial demands involved for both proved beyond United\u2019s reach, with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur agreeing club-record deals to sign them \u2013 City paying \u00a3116m for Anderson, Tottenham Hotspur laying down \u00a385m to land Fernandes.<\/p>\n
With Casemiro having departed Old Trafford to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, and Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious knee injury for Uruguay at the World Cup, two more midfielders are needed beyond Ederson.<\/p>\n
This has led United to reignite their interest in Chelsea dynamo Andrey Santos, a compatriot of Ederson as a fellow Brazil international. Earlier this evening, Ornstein broke the news that a \u00a350m proposal had been accepted by the Blues, with the 22-year-old set to travel to M16 to complete a medical.<\/p>\n
Santos is a talented operator with the versatility to play in the No.6 or No.8 roles. There are those in his homeland who believe he is a natural successor to Casemiro as Brazil\u2019s next holding midfielder. There are stylistic similarities with Ederson, however, raising the question of whether Ugarte\u2019s injury has forced a rethink in terms of need next season.<\/p>\n
The fact remains that United need a \u2018marquee\u2019 signing in midfield to take the reins from Casemiro. Real Madrid superstar Aurelien Tchouameni is a \u201cdream target\u201d, but a deal for the 26-year-old Frenchman will prove as difficult as it is costly.<\/p>\n
This raises the question of a pivot towards Guimaraes, given the 28-year-old Newcastle United talisman is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. The Brazil international is able to drop deep and dictate play, or push forward and help unlock defences. But this samba skill is balanced by steel and strength, as he has come to embody the spirit of Tyneside as club captain.<\/p>\n
Despite the mutual affection Guimaraes and the Toon Army hold, the Rio de Janeiro native is ready to leave St James\u2019 Park this summer after a disappointing campaign for the Magpies. Eddie Howe\u2019s side finished 12th in the Premier League, after crashing out of the cup competitions at early stages, including a humiliating 8-3 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Having lost star striker Alexander Isak last year, this was followed by the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali already this summer. Doubts continue to swirl around the future of Lewis Hall \u2013 a target at Old Trafford \u2013 and Tino Livramento, admired by both Arsenal and Manchester City.<\/p>\n
Understandably, as he approaches his 29th birthday, Guimaraes is keen to remain playing at the highest level of European football and wants to challenge for major honours. This feels an increasingly remote possibility with the Magpies.<\/p>\n
The player\u2019s camp are understood to have reached out to a number of top clubs, including Manchester United, to make this intention known. There are few options available on the market with the requisite skillset to effectively replace Casemiro \u2013 but his countryman is certainly one.<\/p>\n
However, Arsenal are considered frontrunners, having made an approach over a \u00a355 million deal last month. This was immediately rebuffed, though Ornstein reveals the Gunners are \u201cready to offer\u201d a new proposal worth up to \u00a360m.<\/p>\n