Newcastle United chiefs are growing tired of suggestions that Arsenal have cranked up their bid for Bruno Guimaraes. This is a transfer saga that threatens to derail Newcastle's summer in a manner similar to what happened 12 months ago with Alexander Isak.
No formal contact or bid
Chronicle Live has been told by high-placed sources that, despite fresh reports of advanced talks, there has been no club-to-club contact at this stage. As of this afternoon, Arsenal had not placed a bid, and the two boards have yet to engage in fresh discussions, let alone talk about a fee. Conversations between intermediaries on a price may have taken place, but Newcastle swiftly batted away talk of Bruno being sold for £70m. Suggestions on Saturday evening that the Gunners were willing to pay £80m were also off target.
Bruno's return and club stance
United do not see the need to seek assurances from the Brazil international because he is contracted to the club for two years and obliged to report for duty on July 31. CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson have been of the opinion throughout the summer that they are under no pressure to sell their captain. They have already raised £169m – potentially rising to £175m – with the sales of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.
Head coach Eddie Howe said after the 1-1 draw with Gateshead: "We don't want to lose our best players. That is an obvious statement to make, losing those big two is painful for us and difficult for us. For me it has been another challenging summer so far. We are always trying to do our best for the football club long and short-term and try to get the squad in the best place."
Player's perspective
Bruno has kept quiet on social media, posting only a tribute to Kevin Keegan after his death last week, and was pictured fishing in a Newcastle bucket hat. He is understood to want to compete for silverware and feels that Newcastle's project isn't giving him the best chance of achieving that, especially with no European football this season. He had said on May 28: "A very frustrating season, and without a doubt, we are all very disappointed. You fans definitely did not deserve this. But football doesn't always go the way we plan. Honestly, I just want to thank the fans for everything. Thank you."
