Arsenal are growing increasingly confident of signing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes this summer, with the Brazil international reportedly keen on a move to north London.
Multiple sources have indicated that Guimaraes wants to join the Premier League champions, with Arsenal now pushing to get a deal over the line for the 28-year-old midfielder.
Guimaraes has been on Arsenal’s radar throughout the summer and is believed to be one of their top midfield targets.
Since arriving at Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, scoring 31 goals in 195 appearances for the Magpies.
Arsenal will reportedly need to improve on the £70 million bid they made earlier this month if they are to convince Newcastle to sell their captain.
Guimaraes is expected to return to Newcastle training in the coming days, although sources insist Arsenal have yet to submit an improved formal proposal.
Newcastle, meanwhile, maintain that there have been no official club-to-club negotiations regarding a potential transfer.
Despite that, Arsenal are believed to be targeting an agreement in the coming days, with the overall package potentially reaching £80 million.
The Gunners’ confidence over the deal is understood to be unrelated to Eddie Howe’s recent decision to leave his position as Newcastle head coach.
Arsenal were also interested in signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this summer, but ultimately refused to meet Villa’s valuation.
Chelsea eventually secured Rogers for a reported £117 million, despite Arsenal reportedly being given the opportunity to match the Blues’ offer.
The Gunners decided against doing so after sticking to their £80 million valuation of the England international.
Newcastle could now be facing another major summer rebuild, with Guimaraes potentially becoming the latest high-profile departure.The Magpies have already seen Sandro Tonali join Tottenham, while Anthony Gordon has completed a move to Barcelona.
Guimaraes’ potential departure would represent another huge blow to Newcastle, particularly given his importance to the team and his status as club captain.
Meanwhile, Howe’s five-year spell in charge of Newcastle came to an end on Thursday.
Matthias Jaissle, who currently manages Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, is reportedly expected to take over as Howe’s successor.
For Arsenal, signing Guimaraes would represent another major statement of intent as they look to strengthen their squad and build on their Premier League success.
⁸Could Bruno Guimaraes be the next big name to arrive at the Emirates?