Arsenal pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa deals hits same stumbling block - Paper Round

Arsenal have suffered a series of transfer setbacks after seeing key targets intercepted by Premier League rivals, including Manchester City securing Jeremy Monga from Leicester City and Chelsea meeting Aston Villa's valuation for Morgan Rogers.

Mikel Arteta's primary target for his midfield now appears to be Bruno Guimaraes, but Newcastle United are expecting a fee comparable to their Sandro Tonali sale to consider a deal.

Arsenal are encountering a similar pricing challenge with Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, as the hierarchy weighs up whether to match these valuations or abandon negotiations.

The Telegraph reports: ”It was not a particularly good look, for example, that Arsenal spent months working on a deal for Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga and then saw the transfer hijacked in the final moments by Manchester City. Their plans to recruit Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, a player Arteta had been keen to sign for more than a year, were then scuppered in similar fashion when Chelsea arrived with an extraordinary £117m offer last weekend.

”Arsenal were the frontrunners on both deals but, in both cases, the cost of the transfer went beyond what they were willing to pay. This was especially relevant for Rogers, as Arsenal were offered the chance to match Chelsea’s bid.

”Arsenal’s priority midfield target is now Bruno Guimaraes, the Newcastle captain. But once again they might have to choose between going beyond their valuation of the player or walking away from the deal. As reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this week, the feeling around Newcastle is that it would take a similar fee to the Tonali sale to even tempt them into doing business. Arsenal are also facing the same conundrum with regard to Ezri Konsa, the Villa centre-back.”

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is seeking minor investment rather than a complete sale of Liverpool, with Jeff Bezos emerging as a potential investor alongside a consortium headed by Amit Bhatia.

Although Bezos has no prior background in football, the Amazon founder is understood to be assessing opportunities in the Premier League.

FSG maintains that talks are strictly centred on securing growth capital for Liverpool.

The i reports: ”FSG insists the discussions are aimed at injecting more capital rather than walking away and says it is not discussing a full sale at this stage.

”But the emergence of Jeff Bezos as a potential partner in a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, the former Queens Park Rangers owner and son-in-law of billionaire steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, suggests there is a heavyweight feel to potential takeover talks.

”Bezos is the headline grabber, the Amazon founder with an estimated worth of £191bn.

”He is yet to get involved in sports and has never professed a love for football, but sources believe he - like many of the other so-called ‘tech bros’ - is taking an active interest in the Premier League because of its global popularity.”

Bruno Fernandes will remain at Manchester United despite widespread speculation regarding a potential departure this summer.

Executives at United are unconcerned by interest in Bruno Fernandes, even with a reported £57 million buy-out clause active in his contract.

The 31-year-old midfielder has stepped into the final 12 months of his agreement, though United hold an option to prolong his stay by an additional year.

Negotiations regarding a refreshed contract are currently taking place with Fernandes, though no formal terms have been finalised.

The Sun reports: ”Bruno Fernandes is staying put at Manchester United.

”Despite all the wild exit rumours and eye-watering transfer chatter, Old Trafford’s Portuguese magician is committed to the club.

”United’s top brass are unfazed about their club captain’s immediate future despite his attractive £56 million release clause.

”The 31-year-old, who beat several Arsenal stars to two player of the season awards, has entered the final year of his current deal, but the club has the option of a 12-month extension.

”Talks over a new and improved deal remain ongoing, although no agreement has yet been reached.”

Manchester United are finding it difficult to sell Marcus Rashford following the breakdown of talks with Barcelona, who seemingly preferred a second loan move instead of triggering a £26 million purchase clause.

The 28-year-old forward commands wages of £325,000 per week, restricting his potential destinations primarily to domestic rivals in the Premier League.

However, Manchester United are hesitant to approve a transfer to another top-flight side due to concerns over strengthening a direct competitor.

The Mirror reports: ”United want to cash in their chips and believed his impressive season with Barca would make doing so straightforward. But the Catalan side's attempt to negotiate another loan deal, rather than paying the agreed £26m clause, angered United executives and ultimately burned that bridge.

”The other major issue is Rashford's wages. He is being paid £325,000 per week by United, having signed a bumper five-year deal in July 2023. Those terms have effectively hamstrung Rashford, making him unattainable for other clubs.

”The 28-year-old was willing to take a significant pay cut to join Barcelona, but things didn't work out. Now, if he is to escape United this summer, he needs the club to play ball.

”The only teams who realistically have the financial power to sign Rashford are in the Premier League.

”While his success with Barcelona was viewed positively last season, the thought of their academy graduate tearing it up in the Premier League is proving to be a powerful deterrent towards his sale.”

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