Arsenal edge closer to Bruno Guimaraes signing after Newcastle transfer decision

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Bruno Guimaraes with Newcastle United having identified Felix Nmecha as his replacement, according to reports in France.

French newspaper L’Equipe understands Newcastle are preparing to step up their interest in Germany and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nmecha.

The same publication claims the Magpies hierarchy believe the 25-year-old has a similar profile to Brazil international Guimaraes.

It comes after L’Equipe reported last week that Arsenal and Newcastle have agreed a fee in the region of €90million (£85m) for Guimaraes.

However, The i Paper understands there is no agreement between the two clubs, claiming Newcastle turned down Arsenal’s first official bid for Guimaraes.

Premier League champions Arsenal had previously intimated they would be willing to pay around €70m (£60m) for the 28-year-old.

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

Yet L’Equipe understands Newcastle are now pressing ahead with plans to sign Nmecha amid the intense speculation surrounding Guimaraes.

Nmecha helped Dortmund reach 2024 Champions League final

Nmecha is a product of Manchester City’s youth academy, making three senior appearances for the club before joining German side Wolfsburg in July 2021.

Compared

Felix Nmecha

M (C)

Dortmund

Felix Nmecha

M (C)

Dortmund

VS

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

Bruno Guimarães

M, DM (C)

Newcastle

2025/2026

Season Statistics

2025/2026

42	Appearances	41
5	Goals	9
3	Assists	7
32	Key Passes	64
55	Tackles	76
37	Interceptions	29

After scoring three goals in 50 appearances for Wolfsburg, he joined Dortmund for a reported €30m (£25.9m) two years later.

Nmecha has gone on to score 13 goals in 112 appearances for the German giants, helping them reach the 2024 Champions League final. They lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.

He has also earned 12 caps for Germany and was part of their squad for this summer’s World Cup, scoring in the group-stage win over Curacao.

Nmecha has been loosely linked with Manchester United this summer, with The Athletic claiming Dortmund value him at a staggering €120m (£102.7m).

Newcastle have made five signings so far this summer, bringing in goalkeepers Ewen Jaouen and Lukas Hornicek, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur and winger Bazoumana Toure.

The Toon have sold star duo Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, however, while they are also in the process of replacing Eddie Howe as a manager.

The Athletic understands Al-Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle is set to replace Howe, who resigned after nearly five years in charge.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have signed goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Christos Tzolis this summer, while Piero Hincapie has turned his loan move into a permanent transfer.