Arsenal have missed out on Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with Lyon announcing that the 22-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club for a fee of around £16.9 million.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with Guimaraes during the January window, with reports claiming that Edu had held talks in London with the player's representatives over a possible transfer.
Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his midfield as well as his defence in the window, and saw the Brazilian as a potential target after he impressed for Athletico Paranaense this season.
However, Arsenal will now have to move onto other targets during the last two days of the transfer window, with Lyon confirming a deal for the player on their official website.
"Olympique Lyonnais is very pleased to announce the transfer of the captain of the Brazilian Olympic side, Bruno Guimaraes, for a fee in the amount of € 20 million to which may be added a 20% sell-on fee," the statement read.
"After having passed the medical carried out yesterday in Bogota, where he is currently with the Brazil U23 team, Bruno Guimaraes signed, in the presence of Juninho, a contract of 4 and a half years with Olympique Lyonnais, until June 30, 2024.
"Sought after by many clubs during this transfer window including Atlético de Madrid, Bruno Guimaraes favored the OL project and will arrive in Lyon on February 10 or 11, at the end of the pre-Olympic qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"The 22-year-old Bruno Guimarães has been playing in Brazil’s Serie A since 2017 with Athletico Paranaense. In three seasons, this versatile midfielder has become a key player and helped his Curitiba team win the Copa Sudamericana in 2018 and the Copa do Brasil in 2019.
"Olympique Lyonnais is delighted to welcome Bruno to Lyon, thereby continuing OL’s Brazilian tradition. He will be the 20th Brazilian player in the history of the club."
