Bruno Guimaraes has informed Newcastle United of his wish to leave St James’ Park and join Arsenal.
The Premier League champions are stepping up their pursuit of the 28-year-old and have indicated a willingness to pay up to £60million for the midfielder.
The Athletic reported in June that Arsenal had a verbal offer — worth below £60m — rebuffed.
Newcastle insisted at the time that they would not entertain bids for Guimaraes. There has been no club-to-club contact so far and the north-east side are currently maintaining that position.
Guimaraes has two years left on his contract, having signed a five-year extension in October 2023. That deal had a temporary £100m release clause inserted, but it expired in June 2024 without being exercised.
‘Arsenal are determined to get their man’
Analysis by Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas
Arsenal have been admirers of Bruno Guimaraes for some time, and it seems Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are determined to get their man this summer.
Bruno would be a Premier League-ready option for Arteta’s midfield, able to feature as either a partner or alternative to Declan Rice. Given the demands on Rice over the last 12 months, an experienced addition to Arteta’s midfield options is arguably all the more necessary.
At 28, Bruno would be at the older end of Arsenal’s recruitment range. With the club willing to listen to offers for the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard and Leandro Trossard, perhaps Arsenal reason there is a need to offset those potential departures by introducing some leadership and experience.
