Emotional Guimaraes wanted Arsenal move, says Newcastle chief

What the report says

Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has said the club had not intended to sell Bruno Guimaraes, but that the midfielder made clear he wanted to leave for Arsenal. Speaking to BBC Sport Football, Wilson described the 28-year-old captain as being “very emotional” about the move and said Newcastle had to respond once the offer reached a level they were prepared to consider.

The BBC reported that Arsenal are set to complete a £75m deal for Guimaraes after a breakthrough in negotiations this week. Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said both clubs approached the talks strategically, with Arsenal initially hoping for a lower fee and Newcastle hoping for more for such an important player. He said the final figure worked for both sides.

Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, bid farewell to team-mates and staff at the club’s pre-season camp in Spain. His departure would be Newcastle’s latest major outgoing transfer, following other key exits over the past year. The club are now looking for a replacement, though Wilson said they did not want to rush into a signing simply to fill the gap.

The transfer underlines the pressure on Newcastle to balance squad building with the market value of their leading players. For Arsenal, it would bring in an experienced Premier League midfielder with a strong reputation at a time when they are strengthening for the new season.