It’s been a wild 24 hours in the Premier League. And Arsenal look set to be the biggest winners.
The Gunners are closing in on a deal worth more than £75 million to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United. With Eddie Howe‘s sudden departure throwing St James’ Park into turmoil, Arsenal have seized the moment. A deal that once felt unlikely now looks almost inevitable.
So how did we get here? And why does this signing matter so much for Mikel Arteta’s title defence?
Eddie Howe’s Exit Changed Everything
On Thursday morning, Eddie Howe left Newcastle with immediate effect. Sky Sports confirmed the decision came after 48 hours of discussions with the club’s hierarchy, though Howe had been considering a departure for weeks.
His exit wasn’t random. Newcastle have had a brutal summer. They’ve already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham. According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Howe believed Guimaraes would also be sold — and that was the final straw.
Here’s the key detail, though. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reported that Guimaraes’ move to Arsenal was already progressing independently of Howe’s departure. The manager leaving didn’t create this transfer. It simply removed the last obstacle.
Newcastle now find themselves without a head coach, without several key players, and increasingly without leverage.
Why Arsenal Want Bruno Guimaraes So Badly
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta has identified Guimaraes as the ideal midfield addition, according to FootballTransfers. And it’s not hard to see why.
Last season, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi carried the midfield load almost entirely on their own. That over-reliance showed in the second half of the campaign. Arsenal need elite depth. They need someone who can rotate with — and push — their starting pair.
Guimaraes ticks every box:
- 28 years old, right in his prime
- Four-and-a-half years of Premier League experience
- Captain of Newcastle, proven leadership credentials
- Technically gifted, comfortable in possession and pressing
- A full Brazil international
Arteta himself made the case for exactly this kind of signing earlier this week. Speaking on Arsenal’s official website, he said: “We want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals.”
He wasn’t being subtle. He was sending a message. And Guimaraes fits the profile perfectly.
Where Does the Deal Stand Right Now?
According to The Sun, Arsenal are edging towards an agreement with Newcastle over a fee north of £70 million. Separate reports from talkSPORT and TEAMtalk have placed the final figure closer to £75 million.
Personal terms? Already done. Fabrizio Romano confirmed weeks ago that Guimaraes and Arsenal had reached a full agreement on wages. That’s been in place since early July. The only remaining hurdle is the club-to-club fee.
And even that barrier is crumbling. Football365 reported that Newcastle are now ready to accept a deal just north of £75 million. Previous verbal bids of £55 million and £65 million were rejected, but the Magpies’ asking price has softened. Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs told talkSPORT that Arsenal have “grown in optimism” and that a resolution could come within days.
Guimaraes himself wants the move. He hasn’t gone on strike or burned any bridges — but he’s made it clear to Newcastle that at 28, he sees this as a career-defining opportunity. Can you blame him? The chance to defend a Premier League title with one of Europe’s most ambitious clubs doesn’t come around often.
If completed, this would be one of the biggest signings of Arteta’s entire tenure. A statement that Arsenal aren’t just here to compete. They’re here to dominate.
The pieces are falling into place. Personal terms agreed. The fee nearing resolution. The player desperate to come. And a selling club in disarray. Don’t be surprised if this one gets wrapped up before the weekend is out.
