Arsenal 'close' to agreeing Bruno Guimaraes transfer

Updated: 30 Jul 2026 15:33 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Arsenal are reportedly close to finalising an agreement to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for a fee that will exceed €81.6 million (£70m).

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The Brazil international has emerged as a priority target for Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and the 28-year-old is eager to complete a move to the reigning Premier League champions before the end of the summer window.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

Guimaraes, who has been Newcastle’s club captain for the past two seasons, has made a total of 195 appearances for the Magpies since his arrival in January 2022 and he has established himself as one of the best players in the English top flight during his time at St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 41 games across all competitions last season, and after an impressive World Cup with Brazil, he has been identified as Arsenal’s primary midfield target amid their pursuit of significant summer reinforcements.

The Gunners have already confirmed the arrivals of Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier on permanent deals, and they are now looking to reach a full agreement to bring Guimaraes to north London as they aim to finally win the Champions League for the first time next season.

It’s understood that Guimaraes is eager to join Arsenal and while Newcastle are reluctant to sanction a sale, having already offloaded Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, a deal is on the verge of being agreed.

That is according to Jack Rosser of The Sun, who posted on X: “Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes, fee just north of £70million.”

Guimaraes is likely to be deployed alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in Arteta’s preferred midfield three next season, with the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze providing crucial depth for the Gunners.

© IMAGO - Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Bruno Guimaraes

Bruno Guimaraes close to Arsenal move

Arsenal registered interest in Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott and the aforementioned Tonali during the early weeks of the summer, but they have quickly turned their attention to Guimaraes and while he is now 28 years old, he is likely to be a game-changing signing for the Gunners.

The Brazilian is one of the best midfielders in world football and he will add immense quality and leadership to an Arsenal team that already look well set to defend their Premier League title.

News of Guimaraes’ imminent move to the Emirates Stadium comes after Arteta confirmed his desire to improve the squad at his disposal before the end of Deadline Day.

“A lot is happening," Arteta told Arsenal.com. "We all know about the context of this transfer window. From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals.

“We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”

He added: “This has to be the start and this has to be the standard. Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. Now we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.”