Arsenal transfer candidate says he won’t join Manchester team after brutal verdict

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their squad after winning the Premier League, but one of their top transfer targets is said not to be fit for Manchester United’s squad at the moment.

Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke does not believe Bruno Guimarães is a top-level midfielder. Arsenal are pursuing a move for the Newcastle United ace and he has made it clear he wants to join the champions.

The Brazil international recently informed the Magpies that he is seeking a move away from St James’ Park, and is reported to have agreed a five-year contract with the Gunners. Arsenal have already confirmed they have made a £55m offer for the 29-year-old, which the Magpies have rejected.

United are believed to be considering a move for Guimarães, who has been at the club since January 2021 after joining from Lyon. Mikel Arteta believes he would be a key addition to the Premier League title-winning side, but Yorke does not believe Guimarães is good enough for United.

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The 54-year-old, who redshirted from 1998 to 2002, told Boyle Sport: “I don’t know about Bruno Guimarães. I don’t know if he was that impressive. I watched him play for Brazil in the World Cup, but he hasn’t convinced me.”

“I think he’s a good player, he’s shown that at Newcastle United. He’s got a good work ethic. I understand the value of that. But when you sign a player to come to Manchester United, is that what you’re paying for? A good work ethic?”

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“He may be a solid player and good enough to get Manchester United into the team at the level they should be, but will he take the team to another level? Will Bruno Guimarães take United even closer to the Premier League title?”

“If that’s the case, then he’s a good player. But he doesn’t excite me. I don’t see him picking up the ball and banging it, sending diagonal passes, cutting through defenders with one ball. I don’t see those qualities in him.”

“That’s why his performance in Brazil worried me. He was just another solid player in that team. They were all solid players. I’m not saying he’s not a good player, but is that the situation at United now? Do they buy players just because they’re solid?”

“Bring in a player who will give us an advantage! I don’t know if it’s Bruno Guimarães. The World Cup was an opportunity for him to tell the world that there’s a reason a team like Manchester United would target me. In my opinion, he fell short.”

Yorke also suggested that the club are in a good position to sign Lille star Ayyoub Bouadi, who was excellent for Morocco at the World Cup.

At just 18 years old, the midfielder has proven himself against the most experienced professionals on football’s grandest stage, attracting widespread interest from a number of clubs.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Bouadi, but they face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in the race for his signature.

Lille have also set a price tag of around £84 million for the youngster, determined to keep him around for at least one more season.

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