Arsenal submit bid to sign “world-class” £100m-rated PL star, he could be the new Xhaka -opinion

New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta faces a significant challenge in addressing the shortcomings of previous transfer windows this summer.

Last summer, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori were acquired, with Merino proving to be a reliable option in the attack during the Gunners’ injury crisis. In contrast, Calafiori has frequently found himself sidelined due to injuries.

A top-tier centre-forward remains elusive for Mikel Arteta and his team, as the management at the Emirates Stadium opted against making any signings during the winter transfer window.

This decision has severely impacted their title aspirations, leaving them 12 points adrift of Liverpool, while a Champions League quarter-final matchup against Real Madrid looms. The situation could be challenging if Merino continues to lead the line.

Berta will need to secure a new forward, but he must also address other areas of the squad, particularly the position left vacant by Granit Xhaka’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023.

How Arsenal have tried fixing their Xhaka-shaped hole

The departure of Xhaka, following his most successful season, left Arsenal fans with a sense of emptiness.

The Swiss midfielder was a polarizing figure, nearly concluding his time at the club after he infamously discarded the captain’s armband during a match against Crystal Palace.

His remarkable resurgence was noteworthy, as he netted nine goals and provided seven assists for his teammates during the 2022/23 season.

Since Xhaka’s departure, Arteta has attempted to find a suitable replacement for the attributes he contributed to the left-sided central midfield role, but these efforts have not been successful.

Kai Havertz was acquired as a potential answer to this issue; however, he has primarily taken on a center-forward position. Meanwhile, Merino has not met expectations in midfield and is currently stepping in for the injured Havertz.

Then there is Declan Rice, the record £105 million signing, who was intended to serve as a defensive midfielder. However, he has been granted more freedom to attack, especially this season.

Although Rice has scored five goals and provided eight assists in the 2024/25 season—most of which have come from set pieces—Arsenal continues to struggle with achieving the right midfield balance.

The former West Ham player is still adapting to this more advanced role and is not left-footed, which has negatively impacted Arsenal’s left flank.

Winger Gabriel Martinelli scored 15 goals during Xhaka’s last season with the club, but in the nearly two years since Xhaka left, he has managed to score the same number over a significantly longer period.

Perhaps this individual could be the key to resolving the midfield dilemma…

Arsenal make bid for their new Granit Xhaka

Arsenal’s primary focus this summer should be on acquiring a striker; however, if the chance arises to secure another midfielder, they should seize it.

Reports indicate that a transfer for Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to London is nearly finalized, but there is another more prominent midfielder on their radar.

According to sources from Spain, Arsenal has made a £58 million offer to attract Brazilian talent Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.

The report suggests that Newcastle, recent winners of the Carabao Cup, are unlikely to part with the 27-year-old, who was valued at approximately £100 million in 2024.

Should Arsenal pursue this signing, it is probable that they will need to present a bid close to that valuation. The club’s interest in Guimaraes dates back to his time in Ligue 1 with Lyon.

How Bruno Guimaraes compares to Granit Xhaka and Declan Rice

Given that Guimaraes is right-footed, Arsenal may face similar challenges as they did with Rice in the left 8 position. Nevertheless, his experience as a tempo setter and his ability to play in a more advanced role than the Gunners’ number 41 suggest he could effectively fulfill this position.

In contrast to Merino, Guimaraes comes with a background in English football, which equips him with the knowledge necessary to maintain the rhythm in the midfield of a Premier League team.

Last season, he recorded seven goals and provided ten assists, statistics that are certainly on par with Xhaka’s final season in London. In the current 2024/25 season, he has scored three goals and delivered eight assists, figures that are comparable to Rice’s contributions in the attacking phase.

A more detailed comparison with the club’s record signing reveals that the Brazilian international has engaged in more defensive duties without sacrificing his offensive contributions.

Importantly, the “world-class” midfielder, as noted by scout Jacek Kulig, possesses a competitive edge reminiscent of the tenacity Xhaka brought to various Arsenal squads.

In the 2024/25 season, Guimaraes has been the most frequently fouled player in the Premier League, having been fouled 92 times, while only nine players have committed more fouls than him, totaling 42.

Few players accumulate as many yellow cards as Guimaraes, who received a total of 14 across all competitions last season.

To provide some perspective, Xhaka holds the record for the highest number of fouls committed by an Arsenal player in a single Premier League season, with 57. Furthermore, when examining the players with the most yellow cards in Arsenal’s history, the Swiss international frequently appears on the list.

In fact, Xhaka is featured four times among the top ten Arsenal players with the most yellow cards in a single Premier League season, having received 40 cautions during the 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, and 2021/22 seasons.

Thus, while Guimaraes may excel with his right foot, it is evident that he would contribute a similar level of aggression to Arteta’s midfield, which may not necessarily be a disadvantage.