Imagine this weekend when you drive to your favourite food retailer for a weekly food shopping trip and, as soon as you put your key in the ignition, a neighbour - who has just won the lottery - from up the street jumps in their car, beats you to the shop and buys everything that was on your list, leaving you now empty-handed.
Well, that is exactly what Newcastle look set to do before the end of the January transfer window and Edu is now driving back home with his tail between his legs.
The Magpies look set to pull out all the stops in a bid to snatch Bruno Guimaraes' signature from Arsenal's grasp, according to various reports.
The 24-year-old was set to undergo a medical in Brazil today ahead of a proposed transfer to St James' Park, according to Sky Sports News, despite Arsenal holding a long-term interest in the midfielder.
Guimaraes has made 25 appearances this season for Lyon across all competitions and has impressed in Ligue 1 since arriving from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense in 2020.
The report claims that the Magpies have agreed a deal worth an initial £33.3 million in addition to £6.5m in add-ons with the French side, well and truly hijacking Edu's shopping list.
French outlet L’Équipe (via GFFN) have also reported that Newcastle are set to quadruple Guimaraes' current salary, which is at €220,000 (around £153,000) a month, blowing the north London side out of reach.
So, Bailey Keogh spoke to the Chronicle’s chief Newcastle United writer Lee Ryder live on The Arsenal Way 'Transfer Insight show' to delve into how the Gunners have missed a key trick.
Lee kickstarted the discussion by suggesting that Eddie Howe may be inclined to play the Brazilian further up the field than Mikel Arteta would.
"Looking back at his preferred position, where he's been playing for Lyon and Brazil, you would think that's a position he will adopt straight away," he said.
"At Newcastle, maybe you get a licence to go forward a bit more - we'll have to wait and see on that one."
Lee added by explaining how Arsenal have missed a trick by not signing Guimaraes quicker, referencing the exciting relationship he and Joe Willock could have at Newcastle.
"We talk about Arsenal, we got Joe Willock here still - don't forget about him," he said, revelling in the Magpies' £25 million summer swoop for the Hale End graduate.
"He's been crying out for a player who can sit back, absorb and let him go forward. He hasn't had that. He hasn't had that licence to go forward this season.
"Last season, when everything was going well, he got all them goals because he was allowed to make them runs.
"This season he has been much more restricted and I don't think that that's his role so this could be the dream ticket for us."
Follow our The Arsenal Way trends writer Jake Stokes on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
