Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal in ‘final stages’: Newcastle accept transfer bid

31 Jul 2026 11:36 BST | 3 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Make us your Google favourite

Bruno Guimaraes is close to joining Arsenal, with his transfer from Newcastle in its ‘final stages’.

Article continues under the video

Bruno has spent much of the summer pushing to join the Emirates club, having grown unhappy at Newcastle due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

While the Magpies have persistently denied their intention to sell the 28-year-old Brazil international, Eddie Howe’s decision to quit on Thursday, hinted that movement might be imminent, and now Bruno’s switch to the Emirates Stadium is close.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

Arsenal strike deal with Newcastle

An agreement in principle has been reached between Arsenal and Newcastle for the player to move for a transfer fee worth €90 million, according to L’Equipe. Bonus payments will be made on top of this figure, with these yet to be decided.

It is claimed that previous offers worth around €70m and €80m were knocked back by the St James’ Park side, who will send around €8m to Ligue 1 side Lyon as part of the deal they agreed when Guimaraes arrived at the club in January 2020.

A game-changing signing

Arsenal registered interest in Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott and Sandro 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.”