Eddie Howe drops Bruno Guimaraes transfer bombshell amid Arsenal push

30 Jul 2026 07:16 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has refused to offer fans assurances that Bruno Guimaraes will not be sold to Arsenal this summer.

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FootballTransfers has been told that Bruno will get his wish of a move to the Premier League champions, but Newcastle are not making life easy for the Brazil international to leave.

The 28-year-old is one of two priority targets for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer, but the Magpies have dug their heels in over a deal.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

Howe: You want players who are committed

Bruno Guimaraes was notably absent for Newcastle as they slumped to a 4-1 friendly loss against Bristol City on Wednesday, though this was simply because he is still on leave following the World Cup.

While Howe admitted that his star central midfielder would have made an impact in the game, he did not appear particularly optimistic about retaining him for the season ahead.

“We want to keep all of our best players. They're so valuable, and as I said numerous times, there aren't many of them, and to get them and develop them is so difficult,” the former Bournemouth boss told Sky Sports News.

“When you have them, you want to keep them. And Bruno's very much in that category; he's an outstanding player. On a night like tonight, of course, he'd have helped us.

“Assurances -I don't think you can push too hard for those. I think I've said many times you want players that are committed.

“Bruno's always been committed here. His training performances, his game performances, have been outstanding.

“Every time he's worn the shirt, he's played with the fans by his side. I'd love to see that continue.”

Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal: The state of play

Rumours that Arsenal want to sign Bruno Guimaraes arose at the end of June, with David Ornstein revealing that a verbal offer had been made to Newcastle for the midfield star.

Although Bruno has since made it clear that he wants to leave for Arsenal, the Magpies have refused to sell in a saga that has been played out in the media. Newcastle have been left ‘flabbergasted’ by the Gunners’ approach in the transfer market.

Arteta’s side have been told that if they want to sign Bruno, they will have to match the fee that Tottenham paid for Sandro Tonali, meaning that a club-record £100 million (€117m) is the only way the deal will be done.

So far, Arsenal have refused to go above £70m for Bruno, who has two years left on his contract.

Newcastle endured a similar saga last summer when Liverpool moved for Alexander Isak. Although the Tynesiders were able to resist for weeks, the Anfield club’s draw proved too powerful and the Swede departed for a record £125m (€145m).

While Arsenal have yet to make concrete progress for Bruno, the Gunners still appear favourites to sign the midfield star.