Arsenal began direct negotiations with Newcastle United to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães during the summer transfer window.
Bruno Guimarães
Club: Newcastle United
According to The Times newspaper, Arsenal opened direct communication channels with Newcastle regarding the deal for the first time, after previous contacts were limited to intermediaries between the two clubs.
The report added that Arsenal's management is prepared to submit an offer worth £60 million to sign the Brazilian international, who has been under contract with Newcastle since his transfer from French club Lyon in January 2022.
In contrast, Newcastle insists on receiving at least £75 million, given the player's importance to the club's project in recent seasons.
The report indicated that Guimarães, aged 28, strongly desires to move to the Emirates Stadium this summer, especially after Newcastle failed to qualify for European competitions following their finish in the middle of the Premier League table last season.
The Brazilian midfielder spent the summer with his national team at the 2026 World Cup, before Brazil exited the tournament in the round of 16 with a loss to Norway.
During the tournament, Guimarães provided 4 assists in Brazil's matches against Morocco, Scotland, and Japan, before exiting the World Cup against Norway.
Previous reports had indicated that Arsenal reached an agreement with the player on personal terms, but completing the deal remains contingent on reaching an agreement with Newcastle on the transfer fee.
Thus, Bruno Guimarães has become the primary target for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to bolster the midfield before the start of the new season, despite Newcastle's insistence on retaining one of its star players.
