Mikel Arteta has been told why Bruno Guimaraes will not join Arsenal if he leaves Newcastle United this summer. As arguably their most valuable asset, the Brazilian midfielder has been strongly linked with an exit from the Magpies as the reality of potentially breaking profit and sustainability rules becomes clearer.

The Gunners recruited significantly last summer with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber all arriving on permanent deals. David Raya also joined on loan from Brentford in the final weeks of the window with a permanent £27 million buy-option expected to be activated.

Despite the addition of Rice, and with the expectation Jorginho will sign a new contract soon, Arsenal are still intent on adding depth in midfield. As such, names like Douglas Luiz and Guimaraes have been looked at and thus have admirers within the Arsenal hierarchy.

As the Brazilian duo are established Premier League midfielders they will both likely command a significant fee, with Guimaraes even having a £100million release clause in his contract active in June, and perhaps because of exactly that, other targets are being looked at more intensely right now.

Arsenal beat Man City to the signing of Rice from West Ham last summer, but Brazilian legend Rivaldo has explained why that would not happen again if both clubs made a move for Guimaraes.

"He's a great player and has been standing out this season," he told Betfair. "It's clear that nowadays everyone wants to play for Manchester City because they have Pep Guardiola and a very tight and harmonious team. I believe that if Guimaraes leaves Newcastle, he will choose to go to Manchester City."

Alternatively, if Man City do sign Guimaraes or he stays at Newcastle, Arsenal could move for his team-mate Alexander Isak.football.london understands Arteta and Edu are interested in signing a dynamic centre-forward this summer.

Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Ivan Toney have been mooted as other options with Gabriel Jesus' future uncertain despite Arteta's firm stance on a departure. Asked about suggestions Jesus would leave, Arteta said: "No. no. I don’t know where this is coming from."

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