Bruno Guimaraes has verbally agreed personal terms on a move to Arsenal, with the Premier League champions now preparing a third official bid to prise their captain away from Newcastle United.
According to a fresh update from TEAMtalk, corroborated by reporter Ben Jacobs, the Brazil midfielder has settled his side of the deal while sporting director Andrea Berta readies a third formal offer. The move follows David Ornstein’s report in The Athletic that Guimaraes has told Newcastle he wants to join Arsenal, a decision communicated to the club’s hierarchy after Brazil’s World Cup exit to Norway.
Arsenal have already seen a £55m verbal proposal and an improved £65m package rejected, with Newcastle publicly insisting the 28-year-old is not for sale. Fabrizio Romano reports that a fee between £65m and £90m could accelerate club-to-club talks, and CaughtOffside adds that Arsenal are cautiously optimistic an agreement worth £75m-£80m can be reached before the window closes.
Mikel Arteta Leads Race For Newcastle’s Brazilian Captain
Mikel Arteta is personally driving the pursuit, viewing Guimaraes as the final piece of a midfield already housing Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi. TEAMtalk notes that Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona are all monitoring the situation, but Arsenal remain the most aggressive suitors.
Significantly, Romano reports Guimaraes will not force the move or “create issues” on Tyneside, leaving the outcome in the two clubs’ hands which is why Arsenal’s planned third bid now carries so much weight.
If Berta pitches the next offer at the level Newcastle’s resolve demands, the champions could yet turn a summer-long chase into their statement signing of the window.
