Arsenal stance on Bruno Guimaraes becomes crystal clear after Morgan Rogers hijack

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Arsenal are unlikely to set aside more money to sign Bruno Guimaraes despite missing out on Morgan Rogers, according to David Ornstein.

Ornstein revealed on Saturday that Chelsea have agreed a club-record €137million (£117m) fee with Aston Villa to sign England star Rogers.

Rogers was a top target for Arsenal this summer, according to Ornstein, but the 23-year-old preferred a move to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.

STATS

Morgan Rogers

M (CL), AM (L)

A. Villa

Morgan Rogers

M (CL), AM (L)

A. Villa

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 55

  Games

• 14

  Goals

• 11

  Assists

View all stats

Ornstein understands Rogers’ valuation exceeded the Gunners' expectations, however, paving the way for Chelsea to hijack the transfer.

While it remains to be seen who Arsenal target as an alternative to Rogers, BBC Sport claims they are also in the market for a flexible midfielder.

The same outlet reported earlier this month that the Premier League champions are pressing ahead with plans to sign Newcastle United captain Guimaraes.

However, Ornstein has poured cold water on the idea of Arsenal allocating more money to sign Guimaraes after Rogers opted to join Chelsea.

When asked if Arsenal could now spend more on Guimaraes, Ornstein told The Athletic FC Podcast: “No, because I think they would have the valuation [set] for Bruno as well. And so if they manage to get him for that price then fine, but if not they will look at other targets.”

Ornstein added: “They [Arsenal] seem to have quite a hard stop line on their valuations this summer. And if they didn’t feel prepared to go to the level it would take then presumably they were understanding of the situation [regarding Rogers].

STATS

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 41

  Games

• 9

  Goals

• 7

  Assists

View all stats

“They were informed that Rogers was going to Chelsea and I don’t think there was any great panic there.”

Arsenal had verbal offer - via intermediaries - rejected for Guimaraes

BBC Sport understands Arsenal previously intimated to Guimaraes’ agents they would be willing to pay €70m (£60m) to sign him, but the verbal proposal was rejected by Newcastle who insist the 28-year-old is not for sale.

Guimaraes has developed a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022.

The 28-year-old has scored 31 goals in 195 appearances for the Magpies and helped them win their first domestic trophy for 70 years with victory over Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.

Guimaraes, who represented Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, has just two years left on his contract with Newcastle.

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