Bruno Guimaraes may have moved one step closer to completing a move to Arsenal, with Newcastle weighing up Inter Milan midfielder Petar Sucic as a replacement.
The Newcastle captain's future has been one of the transfer sagas of the summer, though it's not expected to drag on for much longer.
LIVE BLOG: All the latest transfer news and rumours
While Newcastle sources have repeatedly insisted that no club-to-club talks have taken place and that they have received no official approach, the Gunners have largely been dealing with intermediaries.
Standard Sport have revealed that progress has now been made in the attempts to find an agreement between the two clubs and there is growing optimism from Arsenal's side that a deal will be done.
Newcastle were demanding a fee in the region of Sandro Tonali's move to Tottenham for an initial £92million, but it is understood that a deal for around £75m to £80m is close to being finalised.
As such, the Magpies are bracing themselves for another painful exit by lining up a replacement for Guimaraes.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Newcastle have joined Premier League rivals Leeds in expressing an interest in Sucic and are prepared to submit an offer worth between €35m and €40m (£30m and £34m).
Inter, however, are adamant that Sucic - who scored against Arsenal in the Champions League last season - is not for sale, although that position could change if their valuation of €45m (£38.4m) is met.
In addition, the report states that Newcastle are, at least, prepared to test Inter’s resolve for one of the brightest young midfielders around.
As a central midfielder, and with Guimaraes being linked with Arsenal, naturally interest in Sucic will be seen as Newcastle making plans for life after their captain.
Despite only being 22, Sucic has become a key player for both club and country over the past year. He made 54 appearances across all competitions for Inter last season and started three times for Croatia at this summer’s World Cup.
