Arsenal to sign Bruno Guimaraes - David Ornstein

Updated: 4 Aug 2026 16:18 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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Arsenal are on the verge of making a breakthrough in their pursuit of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

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One of the most high-profile transfer sagas of the summer is close to being resolved, with the Gunners nearing a deal to sign the Brazil international after chasing him for more than a month.

Arsenal had a verbal offer rebuffed in June, but neither this nor Newcastle's public not-for-sale stance deterred the reigning Premier League champions, who view Guimaraes as a priority target.

Current ETV

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

ETV Range

€56.8M - €69.4M

Newcastle were initially left flabbergasted by the whole thing because, for several weeks, Arsenal refused to make club-to-club contact, leaving the deal to be negotiated by intermediaries.

Despite Newcastle's posturing, the direction of travel always seemed to be for Guimaraes to end up at Arsenal, with the player having personally informed the Magpies of his unequivocal desire to make the move. Over the past week or so, discussions have really picked up.

Arsenal close to Guimaraes agreement

Reports in recent days have claimed that Arsenal have had a formal offer, believed to have been in the region of €70-80 million, rejected by Newcastle, but David Ornstein of The Athletic understands that a breakthrough is imminent.

All parties, including Newcastle, are keen to resolve the situation as soon as possible, and the St. James' Park club have resigned themselves to losing their captain. This would be another huge blow, having already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

Eddie Howe surprisingly resigned from his post as manager last week, leaving the club in turmoil. Al-Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle is set to replace the Englishman at the helm, and he is facing a tall task to revive the ailing project.

While no club-to-club agreement has as yet been reached for the transfer of Guimaraes, Ornstein reports that it is only a matter of time. The player joined up with his Newcastle teammates in La Manga on Monday, but he is now awaiting permission to travel for his Arsenal medical.

It remains to be seen how much the North London giants will ultimately have to pay for the 28-year-old. The Gunners have been reticent to overspend on the midfielder, but it is clear that he will cost north of €80m. Considering his quality and the inflated midfielder market at present, such a fee would still arguably be a bargain, mind.

Reports in France suggest that Newcastle have identified Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha as their preferred Guimaraes replacement. However, the Germany international signed a new long-term contract earlier this year.

With a release clause not active until next year, it is believed that Dortmund will request more than €100m to let Nmecha leave this summer. The former Man City prospect grew up in England, though, and has never made a secret of his desire to play in the Premier League.