Newcastle eye Camara and Danois as Arsenal circle Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle United are monitoring two midfield targets as the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes grows increasingly uncertain, with Arsenal preparing to launch a formal bid for the Brazilian.

Guimaraes informed club chiefs this week that he wants to leave St James’ Park, a development that has rocked Newcastle’s pre-season preparations. Arsenal have made their interest known to both the club and the player, though any deal is expected to be expensive. Newcastle have publicly maintained that Guimaraes is not for sale — a stance they also held over Alexander Isak last summer before the Swedish striker eventually forced a move to Liverpool.

The timing makes the situation more complicated. Sandro Tonali has already departed for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this window, and it is difficult to envisage Newcastle sanctioning the exit of both midfielders in the same transfer window. Nevertheless, the club appears to be preparing contingency plans.

According to The Athletic, Newcastle have tracked Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara on a long-term basis, alongside Auxerre’s Kevin Danois. Both players are 22 years old. The report also states that the club intends to replace any player who departs this summer.

Separately, the arrival of Ajax youngster Sean Steur is expected to be announced within days, while a move for Johan Manzambi — who has impressed at the World Cup — is anticipated once Switzerland’s campaign concludes.

The summer has already brought significant change to Tyneside. Wingers Anthony Gordon has joined Barcelona in a high-profile deal, and former club captain Kieran Trippier has signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Newcastle have also brought in 20-year-olds Bazoumana Toure and Ewen Jaouen, pointing to a deliberate shift towards a younger squad ahead of next season.