Arsenal information: £76m switch goal’s dad breaks silence as Mikel Arteta plots big transfer
Arsenal are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer, while eight Gunners stars face an availability wait following World Cup semi-final involvement
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, celebrates with the Premier League trophy, as Arsenal are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Arsenal are entering a crucial phase in the summer window, which will shape their fortunes next season.
With the World Cup drawing to a close this week, attention will return to club football once more, and alongside it, the transfer market. Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta has been playing a patient game up to this point. The Italian is reportedly making headway by securing personal terms with several prime transfer targets, including Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers.
The rest of this month is expected to be hectic as last year witnessed Arsenal announce a staggering six signings in July alone. While such extensive additions are improbable this time round, it’s anticipated Berta and Mikel Arteta will seek to bring in several top-quality signings before the campaign kicks off with the Community Shield encounter against Manchester City on August 16. Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium.
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Eight Arsenal stars set to miss matches
The eight Arsenal players who have progressed to the World Cup semi-finals have been given a return date for club duties.
All players are officially afforded a minimum 21-day break as part of their summer holiday period. While this can be waived, players are typically urged to take it to ensure they are fully refreshed for the upcoming campaign, reports the Mirror.
David Raya, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice are all set to feature in World Cup semi-final clashes this week.
Should any be knocked out, their anticipated return date would fall after the pre-season friendly against Real Betis on August 5 in Dublin.
They would also be absent for the friendly against Girona on August 1. An Emirates Cup encounter with Borussia Dortmund on August 9 is Arsenal’s following fixture and when their fit players, who haven’t made the final, are expected back.
Naturally, several players, including Rice, Saka and Saliba, have been managing fitness concerns lately and could return at a later stage.
Bruno Guimaraes’ dad goes public
Arsenal target Bruno Guimaraes’ father has spoken out following his son’s vital penalty miss for Brazil at the World Cup.
The Newcastle United star, who has allegedly informed the Magpies he desires a switch to north London this summer, fluffed a crucial spot-kick against Norway earlier this month.
The midfielder’s inability to score led to Martin Odegaard’s team pulling off a surprise win over Brazil in the round of 16. Dick Guimaraes shared a revealing message about his son on Instagram just days after Brazil’s exit, amid the swirling transfer rumours linking him with Arsenal.
Translated from Portuguese, via Newcastle World, the post stated: “You need courage to enter the arena and do what needs to be done. From the stands, it is very easy to give opinions.”
Newcastle have maintained that their captain, Guimaraes, is not up for grabs. Nevertheless, Arsenal are believed to be considering making a bid, especially since Guimaraes has indicated his desire to join Arteta’s squad.
He is said to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal and a £76m fee is thought to be enough to prise him from the Magpies.
