Why £80m World Cup star is Arsenal’s dream midfield target

A new central midfielder is one of the demands that Mikel Arteta has placed on the Arsenal recruitment team for the summer transfer window this year.

The Spaniard wants to build on the Premier League title success from last season and is looking to add another option to his midfield ranks in the coming weeks.

Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as one of the club’s targets in that area of the pitch, as they pursue a deal to bring the Brazilian star to The Emirates.

The Gunners have already seen an offer of £55m turned down for the former Lyon star, and are now preparing to bid £60m in an attempt to convince the Magpies to part ways with him.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the extra £5m will be enough for Newcastle to decide to cash in on one of their star players this summer.

Arsenal agree to key clause to sign World Cup star

It is easy to understand why the club want to sign Guimaraes from Eddie Howe’s side, as he is a proven Premier League performer who has racked up 30 goals and 26 assists in 153 appearances in the division on Tyneside.

Whilst the Brazil international is clearly an active target, the club are looking at another player who could be Arteta’s own version of the Magpies star.

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs pursuing a deal to sign Lille central midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Gunners are prepared to agree to a key clause to get a move over the line, as the French side want to take him back on loan for the 2026/27 campaign as part of any transfer.

It adds, though, that Chelsea and Manchester City are also willing to agree to that detail in order to land his signature this summer, which means that it will not be an easy signing to secure.

TEAMtalk adds that the player is currently open to all options and is keen on signing for the club that offers him the best project, so the Gunners could take the lead in the race if they make an attractive proposal.

How Ayyoub Bouaddi can be Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes

The Morocco international, who is valued at £80m, could allow the club to turn their attention away from what could end up being an expensive deal for Guimaraes if Newcastle demand more than £60m.

Newcastle’s Brazilian midfielder turns 29 later this year and would not arrive at The Emirates as a long-term signing, but rather a short-term injection of quality.

Instead of splashing the best part of £100m on a signing that may only improve the team for two or three seasons, Arsenal could go for Bouaddi and land a player who could be a starting midfielder for the next decade.

Their respective performances for Brazil and Morocco at the World Cup suggest that they are both similarly effective in their work on the ball and out of possession.

They are both combative and energetic midfielders who look to cut out opposition attacks with tackles, interceptions, and duels won to protect their goal and regain possession to start attacks for their own team.

Bouaddi, who was described as a “superstar” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has not just impressed with Morocco at international level, though, as he also played regular football for Lille as a teenager last season.

The 18-year-old central midfielder played 42 times in all competitions for the French side after also playing 36 matches as a 17-year-old in the 2024/25 campaign.

Whilst loaning him back to Lille is not ideal, because the Gunners would not bolster their midfield for the upcoming season, he would only be 19 when he finally joins Arteta’s squad next year.

Instead of signing Guimaraes, Arsenal could look for a cheaper, short-term, alternative for the 2026/27 campaign and splash the cash on Bouaddi now, before loaning him back to Lille to continue his development.

It may not be the most exciting decision to make for supporters this summer, but it is a move that could benefit Arsenal more in the long-term, as the Moroccan star is ten years younger than Guimaraes.