Arsenal Reach Agreement With Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes Transfer
Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Newcastle United to sign midfielder Bruno Guimaraes after finally meeting the Magpies’ valuation with an improved bid, bringing an end to a weeks-long transfer saga that has dominated the summer window.
According to a report from French outlet L’Equipe, the Premier League champions submitted a fresh offer worth €90 million (£77 million) plus performance-related bonuses on Friday, a proposal that has finally satisfied Newcastle after two earlier bids of €70 million and €80 million were rejected. While final details around bonus structures and agent fees are still being finalised, the framework of the deal is reportedly now in place, with Guimaraes expected to complete his move to the Emirates Stadium in the coming days.
The 28-year-old Brazil international had already agreed personal terms on a long-term contract running through 2031 several weeks ago, well before the clubs found common ground on a fee. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had made the Newcastle captain his top target in central midfield this summer as the club looks to strengthen a squad that won its first Premier League title in 22 years last season.
Guimaraes’ urgency to complete the move became evident this week when it emerged that he would not be travelling with Newcastle’s squad to Spain for the club’s pre-season training camp in La Manga. Reports indicated the player himself requested a delay to his departure in order to allow negotiations with Arsenal to be finalised, with his arrival at the camp instead rescheduled for a later date.
The deal marks the culmination of a saga that has unfolded gradually over recent weeks, with various reports describing an “amicable agreement” that had existed between Guimaraes and Newcastle for some time regarding his potential departure. Transfer insiders had also suggested growing confidence around a deal being struck, with figures north of £75 million being floated in various reports before Arsenal’s improved offer sealed the agreement.
Newcastle, for their part, had already begun preparing for life without their captain, having completed the signing of Aladji Bamba from Monaco earlier in the summer window. The Magpies now face the task of rebuilding a squad that will be missing a key leadership figure and midfield presence, with the club expected to move quickly to reshape its options in that area ahead of the new campaign.
Guimaraes’ former club Lyon are also said to be closely monitoring the negotiations, as a 20 percent sell-on clause included in his original transfer to Newcastle means the French club stands to earn more than €8 million from the completed deal.
With personal terms already settled and the fee now agreed in principle, Arsenal are expected to wrap up the formalities of the transfer in the coming days, paving the way for Guimaraes to officially become a Gunners player ahead of the new Premier League season.
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