Arsenal are preparing an improved transfer offer exceeding £70m for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has informed his club of his desire to move to the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle insist their prized midfielder is not for sale this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes
Arsenal are set to make a £70m offer for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes. Brazil international Guimaraes is a priority target for the Gunners, with the midfielder keen to join the Premier League champions. Newcastle are aware of the 28-year-old’s preference to join Arsenal this summer. Talks over a potential move for Guimaraes are ongoing and are believed to have accelerated in recent days, though it remains to be seen if Arsenal’s £70m offer will meet Newcastle’s valuation. Arsenal are determined to strengthen their squad with high quality players this summer as they look to build on last season’s title. The north London side were interested in signing Morgan Rogers, who has joined Chelsea for £117m, from Aston Villa – but refused to go higher than their £80m valuation of the player. It is understood Arsenal were given the opportunity to match Chelsea’s offer for Rogers but declined. Similarly, Arsenal have a hardline maximum valuation of Guimaraes and are unwilling to overpay despite their desire to sign the midfielder. Arsenal also have a major interest in Villa defender Ezri Konsa and have enquired about the England international’s availability. Konsa is Arsenal’s first-choice defensive target. The Gunners also have Como’s Jacobo Ramon on a list of defenders they would like to bring in.
Bruno Guimaraes has asked to leave Newcastle, with Arsenal accelerating their interest in the midfielder. The Brazil international, who arrived from Lyon in 2022, has been a player of interest for the Premier League champions this summer. The Gunners had looked into approaches for either Guimaraes or his former team-mate Sandro Tonali, who has now joined Tottenham for an initial £92.5m, as they look to bolster their midfield. During discussions aimed at checking the financial conditions of a deal for Guimaraes, it is understood a fee of around £60m was initially intimated with the 28-year-old’s representatives. Although Newcastle have had no direct contact from Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side are now poised to make a fresh offer for Guimaraes, who missed a penalty for Brazil as they exited the World Cup in the last 16 to Norway on Sunday. As things stand, it is understood Arsenal only want one leading central midfielder, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi also being considered. Newcastle do not want to lose Guimaraes, the team’s captain and talisman, having already sold Italy international Tonali and Anthony Gordon in this transfer window.
Bruno Guimaraes has informed Newcastle United of his wish to leave St James’ Park and join Arsenal. The Premier League champions are stepping up their pursuit of the 28-year-old and have indicated a willingness to pay up to £60million for the midfielder. The Athletic reported in June that Arsenal had a verbal offer — worth below £60m — rebuffed. Newcastle insisted at the time that they would not entertain bids for Guimaraes. There has been no club-to-club contact so far and the north-east side are currently maintaining that position. Guimaraes has two years left on his contract, having signed a five-year extension in October 2023. That deal had a temporary £100m release clause inserted, but it expired in June 2024 without being exercised. Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer for £69.3m ($93.2m) and Sandro Tonali has joined Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £100m. Guimaraes was a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad at this summer’s World Cup, starting every match before they were eliminated by Norway in the last-16 and providing four assists. The midfielder has established himself as a key player for Newcastle since joining from Lyon in January 2022. He has made 153 Premier League appearances, scoring 30 times and recording 26 assists.
Arsenal continue their interest in Bruno Guimaraes despite Newcastle United rejecting their opening bid and maintaining that the midfielder is not for sale. The Gunners view Guimaraes as their priority midfield target and remain hopeful of striking an agreement in the coming days as they aim to strengthen their squad following last season’s success. Newcastle, however, regard the Brazilian as a key figure and is unwilling to sanction his departure, particularly given his role as captain and central influence in midfield. Concerns over Newcastle’s lack of European football last season have only intensified speculation about his future. Despite this, the club remain firm in their stance and are determined to resist approaches. The player is understood to be ambitious and naturally interested in competing at the highest level, yet Newcastle’s leadership role and importance within the squad make any potential transfer highly complex. Arsenal are expected to continue monitoring the situation closely. According to Football Insider, Newcastle fear a repeat of last summer’s transfer saga involving Alexander Isak when the striker pushed for a move.
Ben Jacobs
Arsenal are likely to table another bid for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Manager Mikel Arteta wants the club to strengthen in the middle of the park, and Guimaraes is a top target. Newcastle want at least £100 million for their captain, and the Gunners’ initial verbal offer is around half of that figure. Arsenal could now return with an improved bid, but it will have to be significantly more to get a deal done. The Magpies have insisted that Guimaraes is not for sale, but he wants to join the Gunners. Arsenal have a clear valuation for the player in mind, and will only proceed with the deal if Newcastle are willing to hold talks and reach a compromise. The Magpies have a decision to make in the coming weeks, but they are not in a hurry to cash in on him as he has two more years left on his deal, with a club-held option of another year. Arsenal will not hesitate to move on to other targets if a deal for Guimaraes falls through. Bournemouth’s Alex Scott is an option, and sporting director Andrea Berta also has other quality midfielders on his wishlist. They have strengthened at the back with the addition of French goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis will be in London today for his medical as he closes in on joining.
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal are set to test Newcastle’s resolve yet again as they prepare an improved offer to sign Bruno Guimaraes, talkSPORT understands. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has identified the Magpies skipper as a priority signing this window as he looks to bolster his midfield. talkSPORT first reported the Premier League champions’ interest in the Brazilian last month. The north London giants have already agreed personal terms with the player.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
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