Newcastle captain Guimaraes expected to join Arsenal

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Arsenal are increasingly optimistic about signing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes this summer, with several sources indicating a move could be agreed for a package worth as much as £80 million. The report says the 28-year-old Brazil midfielder wants to join Arsenal, described in the article as the Premier League champions, and has been on the club’s transfer radar throughout the summer.

According to BBC Sport, Arsenal have already made a £70 million offer this month but would need to raise that bid to convince Newcastle. No fresh proposal has yet been lodged, and Newcastle are said to maintain that formal club-to-club negotiations have not taken place. Guimaraes is expected back at Newcastle training in the coming days.

Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 and has scored 31 goals in 195 appearances for the club. The BBC article also notes he has 48 Brazil caps and three international goals. His potential departure would be significant for Newcastle, who have already seen Sandro Tonali move to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon join Barcelona, according to the same report.

The reported Arsenal pursuit is separate from Eddie Howe’s decision to leave Newcastle after five years as head coach, BBC Sport says. The outlet adds that Matthias Jaissle, currently at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, is expected to replace Howe. Arsenal’s midfield search also followed their refusal to match Chelsea’s £117 million move for Morgan Rogers, having valued the player at £80 million.