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Jose Mourinho blocks Vinicius Junior move, Arsenal set to make Bruno Guimaraes offer to Newcastle United - Paper Round
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Published 25/07/2026 at 23:02 GMT+1
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Arsenal are preparing a £70 million bid for Bruno Guimaraes while monitoring Vinicius Junior. Elsewhere, Aston Villa have opened talks for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, and Real Madrid's pursuit of Rodri could allow Manchester United to sign midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni for £68m.
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Mourinho poised to block Arsenal approach for Vinicius
Arsenal are monitoring the situation of Real Madrid forward Vinicius, whose current agreement at the club enters its final 12 months.
Real would prefer to command a significant transfer fee for Vinicius rather than risk losing the Brazil international on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract.
However, newly appointed manager Jose Mourinho intends to block any potential departure, having stated his commitment to retaining all key squad members ahead of the new season.
The Mirror reports: ”Arsenal's potential move for Vinicius Junior looks set to be ruined before it’s even begun, with Jose Mourinho poised to intervene. The Gunners hold an interest in the Brazil international, who sees his contract at the Bernabeu expire next summer.
”Real would be keen on selling Vinicius for a considerable fee as opposed to losing him for nothing at the end of his deal. But it appears that new boss Jose Mourinho might want a say.
”The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss would put a stop to any exit after expressing a desire for all of his key players to remain at the club ahead of his first season in charge following his return.”
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Arsenal set for new Guimaraes bid
Arsenal are preparing a £70m proposal to secure the services of Newcastle United midfielder Guimaraes, who has informed his current employers of a desire to move to the league champions.
Newcastle insist that Guimaraes is unavailable for transfer and that no official contact has been made by Arsenal.
Manager Eddie Howe acknowledged uncertainty regarding the future of Guimaraes, stating that discussions surrounding any prospective transaction remain beyond his control.
The Daily Mail reports: ”Arsenal are weighing up a £70 million offer for Guimaraes who has told Newcastle he wants to leave and join the Premier League champions.
”Eddie Howe says he doesn't know what will happen with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes' future.
”Newcastle say he is not for sale and have yet to receive a formal approach but Howe said: 'Look I don't know what is going to happen with Bruno's future, that is for other people to speculate about.’”
Villa start talks for Jackson as Fenerbahce target Watkins
Aston Villa have commenced preliminary discussions with Chelsea regarding a permanent move for £65m-valued striker Jackson.
Head coach Unai Emery is keen to finalise a deal for Jackson, though Premier League regulations stipulate that Villa must purchase the forward outright due to already acquiring Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea.
Simultaneously, Villa forward Ollie Watkins is attracting firm interest from Fenerbahce as the Turkish side seek to complete a transaction for the 30-year-old England international.
The Sun reports: ”Aston Villa have opened talks with Chelsea to sign £65m-rated Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson.
”And Ollie Watkins could be on his way out of Villa Park as Fenerbahce push to land the 30-year-old England forward.
”Unai Emery is determined to capture Jackson, 25, after securing Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Stamford Bridge.
”Villa would have to sign Jackson on a permanent deal as Premier League rules do not permit clubs to take two players on loan from another top-flight club.”
Real Rodri pursuit could pave way for United Tchouameni move
Real Madrid have altered their summer transfer strategy by pursuing Manchester City midfielder Rodri following his Golden Ball-winning performances at the World Cup.
A successful transfer for Rodri could enable Manchester United to advance their interest in midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni for an estimated £68m.
With manager Mourinho undertaking a squad restructuring at Real, Tchouameni is expected to depart following an alleged altercation with team-mate Federico Valverde.
Standard Sport reports: ”Real Madrid’s move to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri comes as good news for Manchester United.
”Los Blancos were not thought to be keen on buying the Spaniard this summer but performed a surprise U-turn after he captained Spain to a second World Cup title and won the Golden Ball in doing so.
”Should the deal go through, it could trigger a domino effect allowing United to sign one of their dream summer targets - Aurelien Tchouameni.
”The Frenchman has been widely tipped to leave Real this summer as Jose Mourinho works to overhaul his squad.
”That is down in part to his high-profile falling out with Federico Valverde, which culminated in a physical fight at the training ground and saw Valverde hospitalised.
”Reports suggest Tchouameni could be tempted away from Real by a bid of around £68m.”
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