Riccardo Calafiori has urged Arsenal to sign players like Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior to help retain their Premier League title. Speaking after Arsenal lost 3-1 against Real Betis in Dublin, the defender turned to a member of the Arsenal media team and asked: "Is it official yet?"
Calafiori then stressed that top additions are necessary for the Gunners. "We are on that level now. We are on top. We want to win the league again, we want to be even better than last season if we can. We need these kind of players I think," Calafiori said. Regarding Newcastle United captain Guimaraes, he added: "It's not official, so I cannot speak about it."
Bruno Guimaraes Transfer Deal
Arsenal are set to complete a protracted £75 million move for Newcastle captain Guimaraes this week, ending a long saga. The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, has emerged as Mikel Arteta's first-choice central midfield target. Guimaraes told Newcastle earlier this summer that he wanted to join Arsenal if a suitable offer arrived, and a final agreement between the clubs is now considered a formality following discussions over finer terms this week.
Guimaraes is currently waiting for permission to leave Newcastle's training base in La Manga, Spain, to finalise the formalities of his move to north London.
Vinicius Junior Contract Situation
Arsenal are also in the hunt for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, whose contract with the LaLiga giants expires at the end of next season. Arsenal have made the 26-year-old Brazil international aware that they are willing to step in if he fails to find an agreement with Madrid. Real Madrid are awaiting a response from Vinicius Junior after offering him improved terms in excess of £19 million a year.
Talks took place in Madrid on Wednesday between the player's agents, general director Jose Angel Sanchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat. Jose Mourinho also underlined that the forward is firmly in his plans, and Real Madrid are believed to be increasingly confident of keeping him at the Bernabeu. However, Vinicius Junior added to the uncertainty on Wednesday night by deleting his entire Instagram history. His account, which has 63.9 million followers, currently displays no images or bio and has had its profile picture removed.
