Arsenal have reached an agreement with Bruno Guimaraes over a five-year contract as they seek to strengthen their midfield, according to L’Équipe. The 28-year-old has informed Newcastle United and manager Eddie Howe of his desire to move to London in pursuit of Champions League football.
Arsenal have submitted an initial bid of €70 million for Guimaraes, which Newcastle have rejected. However, Newcastle are aware that Guimaraes has only two years remaining on his current contract and may be compelled to sell for a substantial fee. His performances at the recent World Cup, where he registered four assists, have further enhanced his value.
The Gunners are expected to launch a renewed offensive in the coming days, potentially moving closer to Newcastle’s valuation of €90 million. Newcastle signed Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022 for a fee of €50 million plus add-ons, and included a 20% sell-on clause in the deal.
Lyon are closely monitoring the potential transfer, as they stand to benefit financially from a significant resale. Should the transfer be completed for around €80 million, Lyon could receive approximately €6 million due to the sell-on clause. Guimaraes has been a key figure for Newcastle since his arrival, even captaining the side under Howe.
Guimaraes recently experienced disappointment with Brazil at the World Cup, missing a penalty during their round of sixteen defeat to Norway. Despite this, his overall form has attracted the attention of Arsenal, who are looking to bolster their options in midfield as they continue to compete at the top of the Premier League. This move would provide Arsenal with a dynamic and experienced player capable of dictating play and contributing defensively.
Securing Guimaraes would represent a significant statement of intent from Arsenal, demonstrating their ambition to challenge for major honours. For Newcastle, while losing a key player and captain would be a blow, a fee in the region of €90 million would represent a considerable profit on their initial investment.
