Arsenal discover how far Guimaraes will go to seal move as Isak saga resurfaces

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Bruno Guimaraes remains keen to join Arsenal but the Newcastle United captain will not force a move by going on strike, according to ESPN Brazil.

Various sources understand Arsenal have made Guimaraes their top target as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Yet the Times reported last Thursday that Newcastle were set to reject a proposed €82million (£70m) offer from Arsenal for the 28-year-old.

STATS

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 41

  Games

• 9

  Goals

• 7

  Assists

View all stats

The same publication claims the Magpies are desperate to keep hold of Guimaraes, who has two years left on his contract.

Their hand has been weakened, however, by the fact that Guimaraes has made it clear he would like to leave this summer, according to BBC Sport.

However, ESPN Brazil claims Guimaraes will not recreate the saga which surrounded Alexander Isak’s protracted move to Liverpool last summer.

Isak made himself unavailable for Newcastle’s first three Premier League games of the 2025-26 season to force through his €146m (£125m) move to Anfield.

Arsenal have also had verbal Guimaraes offer rejected

Guimaraes has developed a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022.

He has scored 31 goals in 195 appearances for the Toon and helped them win their first domestic trophy for 70 years with victory over Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final.

Guimaraes, who represented Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, turns 29 in November - something BBC Sport claims will affect Arsenal’s valuation.

The same outlet claims the Premier League champions previously intimated they would be willing to pay around €70m (£60m) for the Brazil international.

However, the verbal offer was made through intermediaries and not via direct talks with Newcastle, who rebuffed the approach.

Various sources claim Eddie Howe's side are reluctant to sanction a third major sale following the departures of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.

Gordon joined Barcelona in a €80m (£70m) at the end of May, before Tonali moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a package worth up to €117m (£100m).

The Athletic claims Arsenal want to reduce the workload on Declan Rice by signing a flexible midfielder who - like the England star - can operate as a No. 6 and a No. 8.

Rice featured in seven of England’s eight World Cup fixtures this summer, while the 27-year-old made 55 appearances for Arsenal last season.

Arsenal have been linked with other midfielders including Lille’s teen sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi and Bournemouth ace Alex Scott.