Arsenal star warned he will be demoted to new role if Bruno Guimaraes signs

Arsenal have been told they do not need to sign Bruno Guimaraes to be favourites for the Premier League this season.

talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor has urged the reigning champions not to break the bank to sign the Newcastle United midfielder.

Getty

The Gunners are in advanced talks over a deal for the Brazil international.

It comes after they saw a bid rejected by Newcastle on Monday.

Guimaraes’ arrival would bolster a midfield which is set to lose Christian Norgaard to Everton.

The 32-year-old has been given permission to undergo a medical with the Toffees after a fee worth around £7million was agreed by the clubs.

If Arsenal’s move for Guimaraes is completed, he would become their fourth signing of the summer.

Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen is now permanent whilst Christos Tzolis has signed from Club Brugge to replace the departed Leandro Trossard.

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has also joined the club from Leeds United.

Arsenal transfer verdict

Discussing Arsenal’s transfer business live on the talkSPORT Breakfast show with Jeff Stelling and Katie Shanahan, Agbonlahor admitted the Gunners do not need to pay more than £80million for Guimaraes.

He explained: “They don’t need a busy window. (They) just won the Premier League and they’re going to strengthen.

“They’ve lost Trossard, they’ve brought in Tzolis, who’s a very good winger.

Getty

“If they bring in Bruno Guimaraes, I think that’s enough to go again and win the Premier League anyway, even without him.

“It’s going to make them stronger and I think he’s a fantastic player. I don’t think he should be the same fee as (Sandro) Tonali because of the age difference.

“He’s three years older than Tonali. So you look at him, no sell-on value for Arsenal if they sign him. So I think £75million, £80million is about right.”

Newcastle sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur for £100million earlier this summer.

Zubimendi warning

Meanwhile, Agbonlahor fears the arrival of Guimaraes would see Martin Zubimendi demoted to a lesser role in the squad.

The midfielder, who is fresh from winning the World Cup with Spain, signed from Real Sociedad on a five-year deal last summer.

Getty

Zubimendi went on to make 57 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in England, scoring six goals and adding three assists.

However, when asked how important it is for Arsenal to sign a midfielder, Agbonlahor added: “Yes and they’ve sold Norgaard to Everton. So you’re looking at that midfield and you’re saying it’s a bit light now.

“I think he’s a fantastic player. We were just talking, me and Jeff off air, that probably says Zubimendi, maybe you’re a squad player next season.”

Declan Rice is set to miss the start of the new season following his World Cup exploits for England.

The Three Lions star suffered with a neural issue during the tournament which affected his hamstring and back.

Rice is yet to return for pre-season having been handed an extended break following the World Cup.