​Bruno Guimaraes has told Newcastle United that he wants to leave, making clear his preference for a move to Arsenal. The Brazil midfielder has informed the club of his desire to seek a fresh challenge as the Premier League champions intensify their long-standing pursuit. Arsenal have been circling the player for some time. Mikel Arteta had considered approaches for either Guimaraes or Sandro Tonali, before the latter completed a £100m transfer to Tottenham. Attention has since shifted to the Newcastle captain, with talks remaining exploratory so far.
According to David Ornstein, the framework of a deal worth up to £60m has been examined through intermediaries, although Arsenal have not yet made direct contact with Newcastle. A formal, improved offer is now expected to follow, and his stance marks a significant shift in his stance. Guimaraes has been the heartbeat of Newcastle’s midfield since joining Lyon in 2022, and he had spoken of building something special on Tyneside. At 28, however, he appears tempted by the prospect of competing for major honours elsewhere.
The World Cup exit also affected him personally. Guimaraes missed a penalty as Brazil were knocked out by Norway in the last 16, an exit that might have sharpened his appetite for a fresh start. Nevertheless, his pedigree remains unquestioned. Newcastle are keen to keep him, with the club having already lost Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer; losing their captain would necessitate another major rebuild. Eddie Howe is determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s drawn-out Isak saga, and Newcastle’s negotiating position remains strong.
Guimaraes has two years left on his contract, plus a further option, and the Magpies insist he is not for sale. Given the market value of midfielders, they would demand well in excess of the £60m figure currently discussed. A resolution may take time. If Guimaraes does depart, Arsenal would likely sanction a midfield exit, with Christian Norgaard among those who could be moved on to facilitate adjustments in their squad.
Read more about rankings of World Cup contenders as we reach the quarter-finals. See also: Santos reportedly pressed Chelsea to secure a move before a £50m transfer to Manchester United.