Arsenal aren’t backing down. Despite two rejected bids and a stubbornly defiant Newcastle, the Premier League champions continue pushing to sign Bruno Guimaraes this summer. It’s shaping up to be one of the saga’s of the window.
The 28-year-old Brazilian has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal on a five-year contract running until 2031, according to L’Equipe and journalist Nicolo Schira. He’s told Newcastle he wants to leave. But wanting out and actually getting out are two very different things.
So where does this deal stand right now? And can Arsenal actually pull it off?
The Bids, the Rejections, and the £90m Question
Arsenal’s pursuit has been anything but straightforward. Here’s how the bidding has played out so far:
- A verbal offer worth around £55m was quickly dismissed by Newcastle.
- A second approach at £65m was also turned down.
- Reports from TeamTalk suggest Arsenal are preparing a third bid worth £80m.
Newcastle, though, aren’t budging easily. They reportedly want at least £90m for their captain — and some outlets suggest the real figure is closer to £100m.
Fabrizio Romano noted on X that a fee somewhere between £65m and £90m could speed up formal talks. But as it stands, there’s a significant gap between what Arsenal want to pay and what Newcastle will accept.
What makes this even stranger? According to Football365, Newcastle are “flabbergasted” that Arsenal haven’t made direct contact with the club. All negotiations so far have gone through intermediaries.
Why Guimaraes Wants Out
It’s not hard to see why Guimaraes is pushing for this move. Newcastle have had a rough summer.
Anthony Gordon left for Barcelona. Sandro Tonali was sold to Tottenham for £100m. Two of the club’s best players, gone in weeks. For a captain who helped Newcastle win the Carabao Cup and reach the Champions League, watching the squad get picked apart hasn’t been easy.
Arsenal, meanwhile, won the Premier League last season. They reached the Champions League final. Mikel Arteta is building something serious, and Guimaraes clearly wants to be part of it.
Sky Sports confirmed that the midfielder told Newcastle of his desire to join the Gunners after Brazil’s World Cup exit. He won’t force his way out or create problems, but his preference is clear.
Can Arsenal Close the Deal?
Here’s where it gets tricky.
Newcastle don’t want to sell. They’ve already lost two stars and aren’t keen on a third departure. Eddie Howe reportedly wants to keep his captain at all costs.
There’s also a dispute over a rumoured agreement. The Telegraph reported that Arsenal were told Guimaraes could leave for around £50m if Newcastle missed out on Champions League qualification. However, after consulting former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley, the club insists no such deal was ever made. Luke Edwards of The Telegraph called the £50m claim “utter nonsense.”
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is driving negotiations from the Gunners’ end. But even with the player’s buy-in, Berta needs Newcastle to come to the table — and right now, that’s the biggest obstacle.
Still, as Edwards himself pointed out: “As we saw with Isak last summer, there’s no such thing as not for sale.”
The clock is ticking. Arsenal have the player’s commitment and the financial muscle. What they don’t yet have is Newcastle’s cooperation. If a fee around £80m-£90m can be agreed, this deal could accelerate quickly.
If not, the Gunners may need to look elsewhere. But right now, Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal feels more like a matter of price than probability.
