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Arsenal have a clear contingency plan in central midfield: if Newcastle keep hold of Bruno Guimaraes, the Gunners will redirect their full attention toward Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott, a player who has already attracted a £64m bid this summer from Chelsea.
Guimaraes remains Arsenal’s first choice in the transfer window. Two bids have already been submitted, the first worth £55m and the second reaching £65m, and neither prompted any serious consideration from Newcastle. A third offer, this time worth £70m, is expected to follow shortly. Fabrizio Romano has indicated it will not be accepted, and The Chronicle went further, stating flatly that it will be rejected. An insider speaking directly with Newcastle sources was told the incoming bid is “not welcome, not wanted and will not be accepted.”
Arsenal’s Scott Alternative Takes Shape
Per CaughtOffside, it has already been decided internally at Arsenal that Scott is the player they move for should Newcastle stand firm on Guimaraes. Arsenal made an initial enquiry for the 22-year-old earlier in the window, which Bournemouth rejected outright. The situation has since shifted, though not in Bournemouth’s favour.
Scott declined to sign a new contract that would have included a release clause, leaving the Cherries in an awkward position. He has two years remaining on his current deal, and Bournemouth’s public stance is that he will not be sold this summer. The problem with that stance is structural: without fresh terms, his market value will drop steadily as he moves closer to free agency.
Chelsea tested that resolve with a £64m offer, reported by Ben Jacobs, which was turned down. Arsenal are prepared to do the same, with the club reportedly treating Scott as a straight alternative rather than a secondary option of lesser priority.
Newcastle’s Position Remains Firm
Guimaraes has reached full agreement on personal terms with Arsenal, which signals clear intent from the player’s side. Whether that changes anything at Newcastle is another matter entirely. All current signals from St. James’ Park point to the club holding their ground regardless of the size of the bid.
The decision point for Arsenal is approaching fast. A third bid at £70m will either force Newcastle’s hand or confirm the pursuit is at a dead end. If it is the latter, the Scott chase begins in earnest, with Arsenal walking into a market where Bournemouth have already shown they will not move cheaply or quickly.
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Follow TipsGG for the latest updates as both transfer situations develop.