Arsenal are confident of striking an agreement with Newcastle United to sign midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to reports. Mikel Arteta has invested heavily in strengthening his midfield over the last three summer transfer windows, with Declan Rice arriving from West Ham three years ago in a club-record £105 million deal. Rice has been complemented by the likes of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
Arsenal's midfield depth and title ambition
Despite boasting an impressive array of options that also includes homegrown talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, Arteta is keen to build from a position of strength following last season's Premier League title-winning campaign. Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Bruno's Newcastle teammate, Sandro Tonali, but that appears to be a more complex deal, especially amid competition from Tottenham and Manchester United. The priority appears to be Bruno.
Long-term target finally within reach?
The Brazil international has been a long-term target of Arsenal's, dating back to his time with Athletico Paranaense. Arsenal were again in contention to sign the 28-year-old when he left Lyon in January 2022 but missed out to Newcastle. The Gunners have kept tabs on a player who is currently impressing during Brazil's World Cup campaign and, according to the Chronicle Live, believe they can finally land their man with a £65 million offer.
Reports in Brazil claimed Bruno's current contract contained a £60 million release clause that became active after Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League last season. While sources close to the deal claim that to be the case, Newcastle have dismissed the suggestion their skipper is available for a set fee. Arsenal are understood to have held talks with intermediaries where a price of £45 million was suggested but this was swiftly dismissed, as Newcastle aren't interested in losing a key player.
Newcastle's firm stance on transfers
Newcastle have made it clear they will only sell players on their terms this summer, having been forced to part company with Alexander Isak nearly 12 months ago. CEO David Hopkinson addressed journalists back in March with a strong message: 'We think through what players might or might not want to do this summer. But if an Isak-like scenario presents itself again, any player under contract is going to leave on our terms and we're going to maximise the opportunity that might represent for the club.'
