​Newcastle United’s bid to keep Bruno Guimarães has taken another turn, with a fresh Arsenal-based report asserting the saga remains in the early stages despite weeks of speculation about the Magpies captain’s future. The latest rundown, provided by Arsenal insider HandOfArsenal, claims that formal negotiations between Newcastle and Arsenal have not yet begun. Nevertheless, Arsenal is reportedly continuing to work behind the scenes to try to reach a personal agreement with the Brazil international after he allegedly told Newcastle he wants to move to the Premier League champions.
According to HandOfArsenal, there has only been one direct contact between the clubs so far. “My understanding is club-to-club talks have NOT taken place except a phone call from Newcastle asking Arsenal about their stance, which didn’t clarify anything between the parties,” the insider wrote. The report adds that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is continuing to operate through intermediary Kia Joorabchian rather than entering formal negotiations directly with Newcastle. “Berta is still wanting Kia to handle all the negotiations until / if a fair valuation can be reached between BOTH parties,” the insider added.
The piece also claims that Newcastle are now aiming for a fee between €93 million and €99 million (£80 million to £85 million) as a minimum for Guimarães, a significant reduction from the roughly €116 million (£100 million) figure that had been reported previously. In the same account, Arsenal remain encouraged by Bruno’s stance on his preferred exit during the process, with the Gunners allegedly simply waiting for the player and his agent to handle the situation before submitting a bid and “snatching the captain from Newcastle’s paws,” as the claim absurdly notes. “Bruno is fully sold on the project and is awaiting his agents and Kia to handle the situation respectfully,” the insider wrote.
These assertions, coming from a fringe source, starkly contrast with other recent reports from well-regarded outlets about Newcastle’s asking price and the status of talks. Nonetheless, they keep alive the idea that Arsenal remains interested while the two clubs are still far apart on valuation, and the mounting chatter suggests the topic is far from settled. The ongoing narrative hints at a growing sense of tension between the two parties while the story continues to evolve, with fans and pundits watching to see whether the supposed interest from London translates into a formal bid or further behind-the-scenes maneuvering. As time passes, the speculation persists that something is simmering behind the scenes at St James’ Park and in north London, even as negotiations have yet to move into a formal phase.