Arsenal exploring moves for Newcastle's Guimaraes & Tonali

Arsenal exploring moves for Newcastle's Guimaraes & TonaliImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Newcastle United signed Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in 2022 and Sandro Tonali from AC Milan in 2023BySami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent and Ciaran Kelly, Newcastle United reporterPublishedJust nowCommentsArsenal have held exploratory talks over potential moves for Newcastle pair Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.The Gunners want to add a new central midfielder to their squad this summer and are assessing numerous options, with Guimaraes and Tonali among the players the club have actively explored.As things stand, it is understood Arsenal only want one leading central midfielder, and Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi are other options being considered.Discussions with Guimaraes' camp have taken place to discover the conditions of a potential deal for the 28-year-old, while there have been similar talks with Tonali's representatives.It is understood Newcastle have not yet had an approach from Arsenal. The club has already turned down a bid of around £80m from Tottenham Hotspur for Tonali and do not want to lose Guimaraes, the team's captain and talisman.Guimaraes, who has two years left on his contract, has been focused on his efforts with Brazil at the World Cup, where his side will face Japan in the last 32.As BBC Sport previously reported, Newcastle are in a strong position to command a greater fee closer to £100m for Tonali as Manchester City also monitor developments.The Italian international is effectively contracted until 2030 after he signed a new contract during his 10-month betting ban to repay the faith the club showed in him.The current transfer market might also work in Newcastle's favour, if a bidding war ensues, given the valuations of midfielders elsewhere.Manchester City have agreed a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign England's Elliot Anderson for a club record £116m, while West Ham wa...