Arsenal are closing in on one of the biggest signings of the summer after agreeing a deal worth around £75million with Newcastle United for Bruno Guimaraes.
The Gunners have reached an agreement with the Magpies for the Brazil international, with the midfielder now expected to complete a move to the Emirates after a lengthy transfer saga.
Newcastle had spent much of the window insisting Guimaraes was not for sale, with club officials making it clear it would take an exceptional offer to prise away one of their most influential players.
However, the situation changed as the summer progressed.
Guimaraes enlisted the help of influential agent Kia Joorabchian to assist with negotiations, while the midfielder is believed to have informed former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe in June that he wanted to leave St James’ Park.
The uncertainty surrounding the 28-year-old’s future is also believed to have been one of the factors behind Howe’s departure, with Newcastle’s hopes of persuading Guimaraes to stay fading once the head coach left the club.
Arsenal are closing in on one of the biggest signings of the summer after agreeing a deal worth around £75million with Newcastle United for Bruno Guimaraes
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Talks between Arsenal and Newcastle accelerated over the weekend before the two clubs struck an agreement worth approximately £75m.
Although Newcastle had initially valued Guimaraes at around £100m, Arsenal have ultimately secured the midfielder for considerably less after weeks of negotiations.
Bruno Guimaraes pushed to leave Newcastle for Arsenal this summer
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The Magpies believe the final fee still represents strong value, particularly given Arsenal were the only club to make a serious move for the Brazil international, who turns 29 later this year.
Arsenal, meanwhile, will feel they have negotiated effectively after lowering Newcastle’s asking price, having initially been encouraged a deal could be struck for substantially less than the Magpies’ original valuation.
The transfer represents a major blow for Newcastle, with Guimaraes having established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders since arriving from Lyon in a £35m move in January 2022.
Despite joining Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Spain earlier this week, Guimaraes reiterated his desire to leave, paving the way for the transfer to move towards completion.
Bruno Guimaraes’ impending Newcastle exit played a role in Eddie Howe’s decision to leave
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Newcastle are already planning for life without the Brazilian.
According to The Telegraph, the club have identified an experienced replacement, though no name is mentioned.
Matthias Jaissle is expected to be confirmed as the club’s new head coach in the coming days.
If the move is completed as expected, Arsenal will land one of Europe’s leading midfielders as Mikel Arteta eyes a second Premier League title.
