Arsenal are moving closer to a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, with the club now said to be 'increasingly confident' of securing the midfielder's signature.
The Gunners have made the Brazil international their top transfer target this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen a squad that won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final last season.
Personal terms agreed
It has been an open secret that Guimaraes is keen to compete for major trophies with Arsenal, even though Newcastle have no desire to sell their captain. The 28-year-old now appears set to get his wish, with BBC Sport reporting that multiple sources expect him to join Arsenal.
Although Newcastle remain reluctant to admit defeat in keeping Guimaraes, Arsenal are hopeful of closing a deal worth around £80m in the coming days. Personal terms have already been finalised.
Eddie Howe's departure
The news comes as a major boost for Arteta, who missed out on top left-wing target Morgan Rogers earlier in the window. Guimaraes would become the latest high-profile player to leave Newcastle, following Alexander Isak's £120m move to Liverpool last summer after an effective strike, and the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively.
Newcastle are also losing head coach Eddie Howe, who informed the club's hierarchy on Thursday that he wished to stand down to take a break. He is expected to be replaced by Matthias Jaissle, currently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
