Sources: Arsenal target "incredible" £60m forward with significant transfer likely

Arsenal have looked at landing Athletic Bilbao talisman Nico Williams, but he seems to have his heart set on joining La Liga rivals Barcelona if he leaves his boyhood club, and his lofty wage demands have also led to Arteta turning his attentions elsewhere just a matter of days after the transfer window officially reopened.

But the north Londoners are aware that they will have to spend big in order to land Neto if they choose to go in that direction as Wolves have slapped a £60million price tag on the Portugal international after Manchester City and Newcastle United have also been circling for his signature.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Pedro Neto registered 38 key passes over the course of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign

Guimaraes Move to North London Becoming Less Likely

Manchester City are leading race for summer deal

Newcastle United defensive midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrating

GMS sources have been told that there are growing doubts over whether Arsenal are willing to trigger the £100million release clause written into Bruno Guimaraes' Newcastle contract despite there being an expectation for a significant transfer to be rubber-stamped ahead of the August 30 deadline.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are still the favourites to land the Brazilian due to the Gunners showing signs of being against forking out a nine-figure sum less than 12 months after parting with £105million in order to tempt Declan Rice away from West Ham United.

The structure of Guimaraes' release clause may determine whether Arsenal could lodge a lower offer up front and make up the remaining amount over time, but Pep Guardiola's side seem less fazed about the fee it will take to lure him away from St James' Park in the coming weeks.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta applauding the supporters

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£200,000-a-Week Arsenal Star has 'Question Marks' Over Future

Arteta has suffered a further setback as GMS sources recently revealed that the defensive midfielder's first-choice destination would be Manchester City if he brings the curtain down on his Newcastle career, having made himself a fans' favourite on Tyneside, and embarks on a fresh challenge.

Arsenal have had their eye on other deep-lying midfielders, including Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Everton man Amadou Onana, and the latter appears to be a more likely option despite dialogue being open on both fronts as preparations are made for the 2024/25 campaign.

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