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Arsenal are increasingly confident that Bruno Guimaraes will be part of Mikel Arteta’s squad next season, with a trusted journalist indicating when Newcastle United are expected to take a final call on the midfielder’s future.

Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis are the three major signings Arsenal have completed so far in this summer window.

Arsenal are now looking to add a midfielder during the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is Arsenal’s leading target, and the Brazil international is prepared to make the move to the Premier League champions.

On July 9, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs reported that Arsenal had verbally agreed personal terms with Guimaraes.

Jacobs wrote at 5:20pm on July 9: “Bruno Guimaraes has already verbally agreed terms with Arsenal.

“Newcastle still insist their captain is not for sale and deny any direct negotiations yet, but Arsenal are expected to place a formal bid.”

Then, on July 26, Jacobs said that Arsenal and Newcastle are in ‘advanced talks’ over a deal for Guimaraes.

Arsenal are ready to offer £75million for the Brazil international midfielder, with the report stating that ‘progress has been made on a verbal agreement’.

Jacobs has now provided a fresh update, saying Arsenal remain optimistic that the transfer will be completed.

According to the reliable transfer reporter, a final decision is expected by Friday when the midfielder returns for pre-season training, while Newcastle are seeking £85m for the 28-year-old.

“Newcastle still deny a formal bid, but remember with Christos Tzolis, Arsenal got a verbal agreement and then thereafter only placed the formal bid once they had come to an understanding.

“There’s two points.

“One is within Newcastle Eddie Howe is refusing to guarantee that Guimaraes will stay, and if he returns on Friday, which is the expectation at the moment, to pre-season, he’s not going to do what Alexander Isak did and go strike or anything like that.

“Some of it may be down to Newcastle also lining up a replacement, but Arsenal feel anything above £75million will stand a chance.

“Newcastle United sources point towards the number closer to £85m, but with talks ongoing, Arsenal still consider Guimaraes their leading target.

“And I think there’s a fair chance that we get clarity by Friday or shortly after, because both Newcastle United and Arsenal don’t want this to drag on.

“Newcastle, because the last thing Eddie Howe wants is the season to start and we are still talking about Guimares’ future, and from Arsenal’s perspective, if they can’t get the player quickly, they will need to move on to other targets.”