Arsenal handed Bruno Guimarães transfer boost as Newcastle line up replacements

Newcastle United have struck a deal with Ajax worth £23m plus £3m in add-ons for 18-year-old midfielder Sean Steur, a move that could edge Arsenal closer to signing Magpies captain Bruno Guimarães. Steur is expected to travel to Tyneside for a medical in the coming days, with the paperwork viewed as a formality. The Dutch prodigy’s arrival comes after Sandro Tonali completed a £100m switch to Tottenham, and Newcastle are also set to open negotiations with Freiburg for Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, according to the Athletic. That double midfield reinforcement suggests Newcastle may be preparing for life without Guimarães, though the club remain insistent their skipper is not for sale. Arsenal had an initial verbal proposal of £45m rejected earlier in the window, but it is believed that an offer in the region of £65m could now be given serious consideration. Guimarães, who returned to Tyneside after Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Norway, contributed nine goals and six assists in the Premier League last season and is under contract until 2028. He also registered four assists for Brazil at the World Cup before their elimination. Newcastle are simultaneously willing to enter contract extension discussions with the 28-year-old, but the pursuit of Steur and Manzambi suggests a succession plan may be taking shape.